A bolder Europe (= Germany) pleads François Hollande

(BRUXELLES2) Making his political comeback on France-Inter this Monday morning (January 5), in a special sequence of the morning news segment of public radio, the French president devoted long minutes to European news pleading for more audacity and solidarity in Europe whether at the economic level, the Euro Zone, border policy or at the international level...

Vote as you see fit!

"Greeks are free to choose their destiny"

The French president first wanted to take the reverse of the points of view expressed by several European officials in Brussels (the European Commission, before Christmas) or in Berlin (according to the "revelations" of Spiegel citing "sources" close to the Chancellery ) wanting to influence the choice of the Greeks in the upcoming elections, in particular to avoid the coming of Syriza to power. " The Greeks are free to decide sovereignly on their rulers. (Its) citizens must speak as they see fit ».

... But they must respect their commitments

However, there is a limit to this choice. The new government that emerges from the ballot box should “ respect the commitments made by their countries "(Nb in terms of debt in particular) while " like European leaders" will have to assume their commitments whatever their government. And to add: I made myself understood. The Greeks are free to choose their destiny. But at the same time there are commitments that have been made, obligations that have been laid down. All of this must be respected ».

Greece in the Euro Zone

On Greece's membership of the euro zone, it is up to Greece alone to decide”. « There is not today to issue I do not know what consideration which would like according to the vote of the Greeks they would not be any more or would be in the Euro Zone ».

The Euro zone: it is not austerity

« Countries like Spain and Greece have paid a very heavy price for the Euro zone to be preserved and for their countries to remain in it. (...) Europe can no longer be identified with austerity, especially since the Euro Zone has been stabilized, the Banking Union has been created and installed and we have particularly low interest rates . Hence the priority given by France to growth “And to recall that” If we want these forces (NB: Syriza in Greece, Podemos in Spain) to be useful, we must talk to them. And to recall: the euro zone, these are rules, disciplines that must be respected ... with flexibility. »

A Franco-German couple coming together... thanks to the Ukrainian crisis

What do we want to do with Europe?

Beyond this discussion on the Euro zone, or on economic issues “ there is an issue that is beyond us all: knowing what do we want to do with Europe? » François Hollande gives his definition: "Europe must be our protection, provided that we can give it the strength that is expected of it both to be present on the international scene, more than it is, and to carry out a policy of growth. »

More audacity

« We need to make Europe more risky, more daring pleaded François Hollande, in a sentence where we felt that the word "Europe" could also be replaced by the word "Germany". He sees three grounds for this renewed "audacity": as a mediator in a conflict, as in Ukraine; internationally — there are enough subjects — and for the Euro Zone. We must not simply add disciplines to disciplines, but have a common economic space with fiscal and social harmonisations” he underlined, taking as an example the establishment of a minimum wage across the Rhine as good news.

A "frank" and "sincere" Franco-German couple

« I have had a relationship for 2 1/2 years with Me Merkel based on sincerity, frankness and joint work. We tell each other things (...). We have the same stake and the same interest : to ensure that Europe can be stronger, more united in its choices, more active in its growth policies”. What Angela" expect is that France can be more competitive. What we expect from Germany is that (it) can be more in the revival of growth "

A meeting next Sunday

« I will meet Angela Merkel again on Sunday (January 11) on the initiative of the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz who is German but also French-speaking and Francophile. And we are going to talk about the future of Europe, the Franco-German relationship ". And to add, by way of confidence: With Angela, " we have come a lot closer since the Ukrainian crisis ».

Europe must have an asylum policy...

Faced with the latest events of "traffic" cargo ships loaded with immigrants coming to Italy, François Hollande underlines the three tasks of Europe.

1 ° " Europe must monitor its external borders – this is the Frontex system – and put in more resources”.

2° “Europe must face up and organize an asylum policy with regard to Syrians, respond quickly to asylum requests, accept them when they are legitimate, refuse them when they are not. » Recalling, in passing, a truth: “Who is doing the most for the Syrians? It's not France, it's Germany and Sweden. It's the same for the Iraqis. »

... and resolve crises

“Europe must settle the crises. If we don't create a situation allowing for public order and political transition in Syria, Iraq and Libya, we will always have people who want to come to Europe. (...) These populations cannot be left in this situation. And, at the same time, these populations must live where they have always had their life and their destiny. ».

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Read also on the Club: the geopolitical positions of Fr. Hollande Ukraine and Russia, Syria, Iran and Libya

To re-listen to François Hollande's intervention on France-Inter, it's here. To listen to the sequence (humor) of Charline V., it's leaves