Security conference: Macron's speech does not convince Berlin

Text by: RFI Follow

Emmanuel Macron visited the Munich security conference for the first time since his election. The French president was eagerly awaited after various proposals on the future of Europe. To be realized, they require support from Germany, which remains reserved.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut

“ I am not frustrated, I am impatient. Emmanuel Macron took the form in Munich to express his wish that the construction of Europe in general and that of Defense in particular with Germany go forward.

The French President's declarations on NATO's “brain death” and his desire for dialogue with Russia have raised questions in Berlin and elsewhere.

More recently, the idea of ​​opening French nuclear deterrence to its European partners has not provoked enthusiasm across the Rhine, where we want to politely examine the French offer.

A proposal deemed still vague for the German Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. She remains attached as much to the transatlantic relationship: “ Protection exists within NATO thanks to the American nuclear umbrella. "

Impatience or frustrations, it seems that Emmanuel Macron does not expect too much from Berlin. The French president had dinner for three hours Friday evening with officials of the Green Party which is on the rise.

" I do not have the impression that this government has the strength to do anything," said environmental MP Franziska Brantner . So, I think that for another year at least, we will have a waiting phase on the French side. "

The daily Tagesspiegel confirms this appreciation this Sunday morning and headlines: " Macron is preparing for the post-Merkel . "

Poland alongside Macron

If Germany is reserved in building a European defense, preferring NATO, Emmanuel Macron has support, including that of Germany's great neighbor, Poland.

" I share this impatience because I think there are challenges to be met on the outskirts of Europe, for which we need a European defense worthy of the name," said MEP Radoslaw Sikorski of the group. Conservative EPP, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, who attended the conference in Munich. Several countries want to do it, but it is difficult to move forward without the participation of Germany. And I think that today, with Brexit, and with the fact that the Chancellor will leave her post in 18 months - which allows her to be daring - , it's the right time to make strategic decisions for Europe. And I hope President Macron will succeed. "

" For example, we need to increase defense funding in the next budget, " said the Polish MEP. Another thing : President Macron indirectly suggested that French nuclear deterrence could contribute to the defense of the European Union. This is a very important statement, which should be taken very seriously by a country like Germany. The security of Europe is at stake. ”

► Read also: Macron "impatient" facing the lack of German response to European challenges

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Germany
• Emmanuel Macron
• Defense

On the same subject

Macron: Russia will continue to "try to destabilize" the West

Defense: Macron eagerly awaited for Munich security conference

Defense: Europeans flatten strategic dialogue advocated by Macron