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The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has staked out his vision for the future of Europe, but with Germany reluctant to sign up, will it fall flat? Plus: Jonathan Freedland on Joe Biden’s spectacular comeback in the Democratic primaries on Super Tuesday
France and Germany have been central to the European Union project ever since it began out of the ashes of the second world war. Despite centuries of enmity, the two countries have driven the major changes in European cooperation for more than 50 years. But as Germany’s economy has pulled far ahead of that of its neighbour, its appetite for fundamental reform in Europe appears to have waned.
This is the challenge for France’s energetic young president, Emmanuel Macron, who sees European values under threat from authoritarian governments springing up across the globe. But can he convince Germany – and whoever eventually succeeds Angela Merkel – that his vision of closer union, further economic integration and ambitions for expansion is the right one for Europe? The Guardian’s Jon Henley tell Anushka Asthana that for now, the French president is cutting a frustrated figure. Continue reading...