Topic: Is Macron the new European leader? - page 2. (Read 270 times)
No. They all like Mac a ron i better.
Macron's not a well-liked leader, so he's unlikely to last long anyhow. All French presidents have been badly regarded by the French people in recent years, at least since Sarkozy.
As for Macedonia and Albania... I'm surprised in a way, but no so much in another. Macedonia literally changed it's name to avoid Greek objections to EU accession, but anti-EU/NATO sentiment has been increasing in Macedonia anyway, so it appears it's all stick and no carrot for the Macedonia. No Christmas cards from Brussels, and straight to bed without dessert.
Albania?
When were they ever likely to join the EU? That whole part of the world is incredibly corrupt in a very open, overt way. And Albania is supposedly the quintessential example of corrupt culture in that region. Yeah, I know the EU is corrupt too, but they actually make an effort to hide it in the EU.
As for Macedonia and Albania... I'm surprised in a way, but no so much in another. Macedonia literally changed it's name to avoid Greek objections to EU accession, but anti-EU/NATO sentiment has been increasing in Macedonia anyway, so it appears it's all stick and no carrot for the Macedonia. No Christmas cards from Brussels, and straight to bed without dessert.
Albania?
When were they ever likely to join the EU? That whole part of the world is incredibly corrupt in a very open, overt way. And Albania is supposedly the quintessential example of corrupt culture in that region. Yeah, I know the EU is corrupt too, but they actually make an effort to hide it in the EU. 
Macron is a socialist. Who is he going to lead? Germany would like to lead as well, right?
The most important question is, who are they going to defend from? Russia? It's obvious that on the continent there's only the EU, who is going to support one another anyway, and there's Russia. The rest is too small and too weak to start a conflict. Turkey is big enough but it's burning bridges to both the EU and Russia so it's mostly on its own. There's really nobody to protect the EU from. I say military budget of most countries is too high and only leads to wasting resources.
The most important question is, who are they going to defend from? Russia? It's obvious that on the continent there's only the EU, who is going to support one another anyway, and there's Russia. The rest is too small and too weak to start a conflict. Turkey is big enough but it's burning bridges to both the EU and Russia so it's mostly on its own. There's really nobody to protect the EU from. I say military budget of most countries is too high and only leads to wasting resources.
French President Macron recently gave a very shocking interview to the Economist newspaper.
Source: https://www.economist.com/europe/2019/11/07/emmanuel-macron-warns-europe-nato-is-becoming-brain-dead
Some of his most shocking statements:
“What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO,”
Europe stands on “the edge of a precipice”, he says, and needs to start thinking of itself strategically as a geopolitical power; otherwise we will “no longer be in control of our destiny.
He was asked whether he believed in the effectiveness of Article Five, the idea that if one NATO member is attacked all would come to its aid, which many analysts think underpins the alliance's deterrent effect. “I don't know,” he replies, “but what will Article Five mean tomorrow?”
What is the reason for such statements and some other actions by Macron as the recent refusal to allow Northern Macedonia and Albania to become official candidates for EU accession?
Does Macron think that after the departure of Merkel, he should naturally become the new leader of Europe?
Does he want to show strength that nothing can be resolved without France?
Is Macron at all capable of taking on the role of leader of a new Europe, especially because of his blockade of Macedonia and Albania, for what the EU has lost a lot on its credibility and appeal?
What do you think?
Source: https://www.economist.com/europe/2019/11/07/emmanuel-macron-warns-europe-nato-is-becoming-brain-dead
Some of his most shocking statements:
“What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO,”
Europe stands on “the edge of a precipice”, he says, and needs to start thinking of itself strategically as a geopolitical power; otherwise we will “no longer be in control of our destiny.
He was asked whether he believed in the effectiveness of Article Five, the idea that if one NATO member is attacked all would come to its aid, which many analysts think underpins the alliance's deterrent effect. “I don't know,” he replies, “but what will Article Five mean tomorrow?”
What is the reason for such statements and some other actions by Macron as the recent refusal to allow Northern Macedonia and Albania to become official candidates for EU accession?
Does Macron think that after the departure of Merkel, he should naturally become the new leader of Europe?
Does he want to show strength that nothing can be resolved without France?
Is Macron at all capable of taking on the role of leader of a new Europe, especially because of his blockade of Macedonia and Albania, for what the EU has lost a lot on its credibility and appeal?
What do you think?
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