French President, Emmanuel Macron wins Charlemagne prize for vision to rebuild Europe
Next year, French President Emmanuel Macron will be awarded the
prestigious Charlemagne Prize for his vision to rebuild Europe at a time
when the bloc is battling instability.
The selection committee of the German award said it picked Macron “in
recognition of his vision of a new Europe and of the re-establishment
of the European project, of a new European sovereignty and a close,
restructured cooperation between peoples and nations. His passion for
and commitment to Europe, his advocacy of cohesion and commonality, and
his decisive stance against all forms of nationalism and isolationism
set the right example, show the right way forward, and promote the right
kind of contagious enthusiasm needed to overcome the European crisis”.
Macron, 39, was elected on a pro-European ticket, soundly beating his
opponent, the eurosceptic far-right candidate Marine Le Pen. Since
taking office, he has championed an ambitious plan to reform the bloc
including pushing a “protective Europe” agenda to make it a shield
against globalisation for the EU’s 500 million citizens.
He also wants greater integration through the creation of a common
eurozone finance minister and budget. But his hopes for swift action
have been dampened by Germany’s inconclusive elections in September,
which have left Chancellor Angela Merkel struggling to form a new
government.
Macron, France’s youngest president, will pick up his award on
Ascension Day, May 10, next year. Previous winners of the prize awarded
yearly since 1950 by the western city of Aachen, where Charlemagne is
buried include Merkel, former French president Francois Mitterrand and
Pope Francis.
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