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Despite the fact that the pandemic forced a distant and cold greeting between the two most powerful leaders in Europe, the appointment this Monday between Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron had an air to one of those great appointments in history that serve to shape to a new world. The issues on the table fully affect Europe, its economic reconstruction, the future of the Union as a global actor, which is why it was so necessary to show total and seamless unity.

Both leaders did it yesterday . The three-hour meeting at the Meseberg Palace, north of Berlin, served to give the final push and consolidate the multimillion-dollar rescue plan for Europe previously agreed in May. "On the one hand there is the pandemic and on the other hand an economic situation that we have not had in a long time and that faces great challenges both in our respective countries and within the EU," said Merkel.

France and Germany will put all the meat on the spit to convince the most reticent countries that aid is necessary for the reconstruction of Europe. All this on the eve of the rotating presidency of the EU, which will be assumed by Germany from July 1. The country had not assumed this position since 2007.

The chancellor made it clear that she is committed to "solidarity and mutual aid." Merkel was satisfied with the common vision with France facing various challenges and defended an "effective" agreement. "The moment of truth has come for Europe," said Macron.

The rescue package consists of 500,000 million euros in the form of grants and another 250,000 million in the form of loans . The debt acquired should be able to be paid through direct appropriations from the European budgets until the year 2058, and will serve to support the countries most affected by the pandemic with both loans and non-refundable aid.

If this stimulus package is not adopted, there is a risk that all problems will worsen, which would fuel populism , he recently warned in an interview.

This plan has the resistance of the group of "frugal countries". Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark reject the subsidies and the mutualization of the debt and defend a fund that is limited to granting credits. Merkel said yesterday that she hopes she can convince these countries and reach a consensus for the reconstruction of Europe at the European summit that will take place on July 17 and 18.

"There is still a lot of work to do, there will have to be many prior meetings, most of them by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, but we will naturally support him," said Merkel.

Save Europe

It is the golden opportunity, not only to save Europe, but also for the chancellor herself, who seeks to define herself as a clear Europeanist before leaving power at the end of next year. Merkel wants to go down in history not without first detaching herself from the image of lack of empathy and solidarity that she gave to many after the 2008 financial crisis.

Merkel knows that Germany will only stay strong in the world if the rest of the European Union stays afloat. The chancellor spoke of the fact that they are working for a "solidarity and sovereign" Europe and that the only priority is to overcome the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. " It is the greatest challenge Europe has had in decades, if ever, " emphasized German policy.

Climate agenda

The show of unity was also extended to other topics on the agenda, such as weather. For the chancellor, the fight against climate change is a matter of "moral obligation", and she demanded greater ambition to avoid greenhouse emissions. Europe needs a "green deal" to help curb climate change and revive the economy. The message connects with Macron's idea of ​​joining the "green wave" after the defeat in the communal elections this Sunday in France and the rise of the ecological party.

The German president invited to also look beyond the pandemic and said that once it is overcome "the world will be another". Hence, you have to prepare to invest in future issues such as digitization. Another hot topic is Brexit. Negotiations to achieve an advantageous trade relationship between the UK and the EU are stalled after the end of the transition period ending later this year, and the risk of closing December without an agreement would be devastating for the economy.

In addition to all these, the president wants Germany to assume more global responsibilities vis-à-vis the Chinese and US blocs, as well as in transatlantic relations.

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  • Angela Merkel
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • European Union
  • Germany
  • France
  • Coronavirus

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