Macron unveils plan for ‘European renaissance’

PARIS- Reuters

Calling the vote decisive and warning of a Europe in danger, his words are intended as a wake-up call for the bloc as he seeks to push fundamental reform of the European Union.

Macron's column coincides with rising tensions in the West, shaken by U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policies and Britain's departure from the EU. A more assertive China and Russia also pose major challenges.

A number of proposals made in the column to appear on March 5 in newspapers ranging from The Guardian in Britain to Die Welt in Germany and El Pais in Spain aim at protecting and  defending Europe's citizens while giving the bloc new impetus in the face of global competition.

"In a few weeks, the European elections will be decisive for the future of our continent. Europe has never been as necessary since World War Two as it is now and yet never has Europe been in such danger," Macron wrote. "Nationalism offers nothing. It is a project of rejection."

Proposals include creating a European agency to protect democracies which would provide experts to safeguard elections from manipulation and a ban on financing by foreign powers of European political parties.

Macron also suggested reviewing the Schengen system and creating a common border police and European asylum office. 

The French leader is focused on championing a "Europe that protects" for the May 26 European election as he seeks to convince voters with plans aimed at reforming Europe's trade, competition, digital and climate policies, including creating a European climate bank to finance the ecological transition.

He also urged a ban on companies that threaten European strategic interests and called for a type of Europe first policy as America and China have done.