France's Macron: Europe Must Unite to Prevent 'Global Chaos'

[appalachiablue]

Source: BBC

2 hrs. ago.

France's President Emmanuel Macron has called for closer ties between his country and Germany, saying Europe "has the obligation not to let the world slip into chaos". Mr Macron is in Berlin for the country's annual day of mourning for victims of war.

In a speech to Germany's parliament, he said Europe must not "become a plaything of great powers". Mr Macron wants a more integrated EU, with a joint eurozone budget.

He also wants Germany's backing for a European Army, which he has said would reduce the bloc's dependence on the US, and a new tax on internet tech giants. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed tentative support for some of these ideas, but others are controversial in Berlin.

The French leader spoke of nationalist forces "with no memory", and urged progressive forces to unite in an uncertain world. "There are too many powers that wish to thwart us, that interfere in our public debates, attack our liberal democracies and are trying to pit us against each other," he said. "And in this global order, which we have to take very seriously, our strength - our true strength - lies in unity."

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46254393

---

The French president was speaking to the German Parliament on the occasion of Volkstrauertag, Germany's national day of mourning for victims of war.

[Pope George Ringo II]

1. Speaking as a British citizen, he's right

One can only hope that with the major obstacle to such pan-European cooperation gone via Brexit, it will make real progress. And it will only be more impressive when the UK goes crawling back for re-admission in ten years or so and isn't allowed any special opt-outs like currency or military next time we're allowed in.

And speaking as an Irish citizen, this whole military concept is scary as heck.

[appalachiablue]

2. Macron is on it, the wheels could come off otherwise. The most

serious defensive realignment in Europe in decades is happening right before us. To add: Brexit is definitely taking time. Next trip to Britain, it's the south, Dorset, Wilts and France again. Dublin was great fun.

[The Liberal Lion]

3. While Macron is right, this is terrifying

[appalachiablue]

4. We're at a crossroads, as Merkel said. Real and scary as heck

"You made clear with an impressive speech how important the German-Franco friendship and co-operation is, and what role it plays in the European context," Mrs Merkel told Mr Macron.

"You said we are at a crossroads... and this is exactly what I perceive. Those of us born after the war are responsible for the lessons that we learned."

Mrs Merkel, who has led Germany for 13 years, recently confirmed she would not stand as her party's leader again.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Still reveling in the fact Macron didn't let Trump get the jump on him with the handshaking:

Macron Trump epic handshake because french president Emmanuel Macron ignored Donald Trump, Trump handshake pull Macron, Watch President Trump trying to shake Macron’s arm off after french president bypassed him to say hello to Germany’s Angela Merkel first. One more Trump awkward handshake




Tremendous handshake I missed altogether at the time. So cool of Macron!





Trump, trying to chrush Macron's hand so hard, and not succeeding, his knuckles are turning white.



First finger is turning red.

- see next photo at link to story below -

Macron wins battle of the handshakes against Trump

Bruno Waterfield
May 26 2017, 12:01am,
The Times

Donald Trump came off worst in a white knuckle handshake with Emmanuel Macron before the first meeting between the two presidents.

In a bizarre encounter, the newly elected French president beat Mr Trump at his own notorious power game of putting other world leaders in their place with prolonged, macho handshaking.

At one point it seemed that neither man would let go in a handshake more like a bout of arm wrestling, but in the end it was Mr Trump who gave in and loosened his fingers to escape the iron grip of his 39-year-old counterpart.

Philip Rucker, the White House bureau chief at The Washington Post, witnessed the handshake, which lasted six seconds.

“Their knuckles turned white, their jaws clenched and their faces tightened.…

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/macron-wins-battle-of-the-handshakes-against-trump-2q70w3hnr

[Maxheader]

6. Last thing the nations of the world need is

something like cheetoz running amok...

[appalachiablue]

7. Wild! Macron sat Trump & Putin apart last wkend. in Paris too.

Funny stuff-