PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has wared ahead of European elections next month, asserting that all European nationalists are “hidden Brexiteers” who pose a threat to the continent’s future. “I say to Europeans: Wake up. Wake up! They are hidden Brexiteers. All European nationalists are hidden Brexiteers. It is all the same lies,” he said.
In an interview with the Economist published on Thursday, Macron urged Europeans to “wake up” to the dangers posed by nationalist movements, equating their agenda with the divisive rhetoric that fueled the Brexit campaign in the UK. He cautioned voters against entrusting the keys of Europe to those who espouse nationalist ideologies, warning that such persons would jeopardize the EU’s standing as a global power.
Drawing attention to the rise of far-right parties across Europe, Macron singled out the French National Rally (RN), which currently leads in opinion polls for the upcoming European elections. He criticized the RN’s previous stance of advocating for France’s withdrawal from the EU and the eurozone. He highlighted their inconsistency in reaping the benefits of European integration while simultaneously seeking to undermine it.
Macron’s remarks extended beyond French borders, as he pointed to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party. While acknowledging Meloni’s support for certain European initiatives, Macron emphasized the importance of minimizing nationalist influence in shaping the future of Europe.
The French President’s comments come at a critical juncture as Europe grapples with rising nationalism, migration challenges, and the broader implications of Brexit. With European elections looming, Macron’s appeal to voters to reject nationalist agendas underscores the deep-seated divisions within the continent and the urgency of safeguarding European unity and cooperation.
