Rival politicians accuse Macron of using EU presidency to attract votes
French president Emmanuel Macron has pledged to make the European Union more powerful as his country holds the bloc's presidency for six months — yet he has been accused by rivals and critics of using the position as a springboard toward a reelection bid.
Macron spoke at length Wednesday to the members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, detailing France's priorities for the six-month rotating presidency of the bloc.
His remarks were closely watched at home as the period overlaps with France's presidential election on 10 April.
Macron, a pro-European, pro-business centrist, is expected to run for a second term and polls put him as the front-runner.
France’s presidency of the EU provides a possible platform for his campaign, a point that came under criticism from French opposition members.
Macron said he wants to add changes into the charter of fundamental rights of the EU to make it “more explicit about environment protection and the recognition of the right to abortion” in an effort to “breathe new life” in Europe’s democratic values.
Echoing some French voters' concerns, he also called on the EU to install a “decent” minimum salary across the bloc and work on reducing inequalities and fighting discrimination.
He said it's time for the EU to “take action” to meet its environmental ambitions, including the bloc’s commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
As the French far-right put immigration and security at the heart of the presidential campaign, Macron vowed to reinforce the union’s external borders and dismantle smugglers networks.
He also called on the EU to quickly draw up a new security plan containing proposals to help ease tensions with Russia. There are mounting concerns that Russian president Vladimir Putin
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