FRENCH PRESIDENCY IN THE COUNCIL OF THE EU: EUROPEAN OR NATIONAL PRIORITIES?

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the EU’s policy priorities over the next six months in the three areas. On the basis of the French Presidency Programme, the speeches of President Macron and his ministers, the author aims to identify peculiarities of the French approach to European issues and areas of convergence between national and supranational interests in the run-up to the presidential elections in the country. The focus is on Schengen reform, the promotion of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, «EU strategic autonomy» and the adoption of the «EU Strategic Compass», France’s foreign policy priorities, in particular, relations with Africa, the Western Balkans and Russia. The French Presidency’s plans for a «new model for growth», including fiscal and trade policy reform, are also explored. The author turns to the controversial proposal to include protectionist «mirror clauses» on environmental standards in EU trade agreements with third countries in order to protect the interests of European farmers. In the section «A humane Europe» the author highlights Macron's intention to promote the use of the French language in EU institutions. The author concludes that the coincidence of the presidential campaign and the Presidency of the Council offers Macron opportunities, but also brings risks.

Keywords

• french presidency
• macron
• new growth model
• sovereign europe
• schengen zone
• «strategic compass»
• «mirror clauses»