France took over the rotating EU Council presidency on 1 January, just a few months before the first round of the French presidential election, where Emmanuel Macron will seek reelection against mostly right-wing challengers.
In this special report, EURACTIV France takes a look at what vision of the EU the main candidates in the race support and how they view the bloc’s future.
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Sovereignty at the heart of Macron’s Europe vision
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is building suspense over whether he will run for a second term, has a vision of "refounding" a more sovereign Europe. EURACTIV France reports.
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French candidate Hidalgo ‘profoundly’ pro-European
Anne Hidalgo, candidate for the Socialist Party in the French presidential elections, unveiled her programme on 13 January. As opposed to the populists in the race, her ambitious proposals all assert the primacy of EU law. EURACTIV France reports.
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Zemmour presents anti-immigration EU vision similar to Le Pen’s
Éric Zemmour, the fiery far-right candidate in the French presidential elections, chose to clarify his anti-immigration-focused vision of Europe in Calais. While he will not advocate for Frexit, he will try to renegotiate the Schengen agreement, and "if necessary" withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.
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Presidential candidate Mélenchon ready to push for EU Treaty reform
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, presidential candidate of radical left party La France Insoumise, hopes to push member countries to break away from EU treaties "that block us" if he wins the election in April.
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EU, climate, social justice at core of Jadot’s Green presidential project
Yannick Jadot, the Green party candidate in the French presidential elections, has put Europe at the core of his presidential project. While this comes as no surprise, seducing the not-so- pro-EU French electorate with such an approach will be difficult.
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Le Pen wants EU to be ‘association of free nations’
After the defeat in the 2017 French presidential election, Marine Le Pen's right-wing Rassemblement National renewed its discourse about Europe, aiming to appeal to a wider electorate, but it is uncertain if this shift will give Le Pen a shot at winning the keys to the Elysée Palace in April
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Pécresse riding the fine line between Macron and Le Pen on Europe
Valérie Pécresse, the right-wing candidate for Les Républicains, has presented her "patriotic and European" vision for Europe. It flirts between the one presented by 'not-yet candidate' Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen. EURACTIV France reports.