French President Emmanuel Macron is looking to win the election that will give him a chance to influence the European Union in his vision.He says that the EU should be independent of other influences and be free to pursue its agenda. Another of the French leader's projects is trying to raise an EU army which has stalled for the moment.
Macron's Win Will Make Way for France To Lead the EU
Brussels could benefit if Macron wins the second round of elections against Marine Le Pen and have an opportunity to influence the EU, reported the Express UK.
The French leader has spoken for the bloc on many occasions after the February 24 invasion, actively engaging Russian President Vladimir Putin in several discussions in face-to-face meetings in Moscow.
In addition, Paris currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Council, giving Macron a little more leverage over what transpires in the bloc.
According to Alistair Jones, Associate Politics Professor at De Montfort University in Leicester, it is a shot to make the European agenda if the French leader gets a second term.
The professor said that Putin's war in Ukraine could bring France and the EU together on security and military concerns and that the two will only boost Brussels, cited Newslanes.
France To Shape the EU in Succeeding Years
Professor Jones spoke about how Emmanuel Macron could have more power in the European Union, and he said that the French president wants to be perceived as a European leader.
The departure of Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor, and Brexit exiting the bloc, leaves a vacuum for Paris to fill.
Paris is in the best position that cannot be challenged so far. One of these causes in the EU agenda is to make amendments to the current Common Agricultural Policy or the Common Fisheries Policy.
Another change is closer cooperation in security and defense after the incursion of Russia into Ukraine, though not an EU army. One particular thrust is Eurocorps, a body concerned with intelligence and logistics and could get a boost from a French-led Brussels. Jones added that the position would be a comparable national figurehead.
A stronger position held by Paris will lead to recognition as a top EU leader who'll be as respected as Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, and Roberta Metsola. These officers hold tenure as Commission Presidents, European Council, with the European Parliament that will look to Paris, noted AP Direct.
It would be the case that Macron will attempt to push policies or have a say in shaping policies; France is the one holding the rotating presidency for the European Council.
Jones said that it wouldn't be five years to steer EU policy. Instead, more than that, the French president is after a vision too. The fishing row with the UK will be dealt with differently; nothing less than a strong response from Brussel's with pressure from Paris.
A win might be hard-fought as Le Pen lessens the gap in the newest polls. Supporters of Macron were told that a Brexit-style upset might occur.
If Emmanuel Macron wins, that will give him more clout to lead the European Union to make more pro-EU policies that benefit the bloc.
