PARIS (AP) — French president Emmanuel Macron He is expected to set out his vision for Europe to become a more assertive global power against a backdrop of war in Ukraine and other security and economic challenges in a speech on Thursday ahead of crucial European Parliament elections in June.
The French president plans to focus on strategic and geopolitical issues in Europe, including defense, the economy, protecting the environment and safeguarding democracy, his advisers said. Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its third year, is expected to be the main theme of Macron’s speech on Thursday at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
France has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, and Macron has often clashed with other Western leaders as he has insisted that Europe must support the country at all costs. Last month, the French president alarmed European leaders by saying that sending Western troops to Ukraine to strengthen the defense line should not be ruled out.
Macron, a staunch European, is also expected to rally support for his centrist Renaissance party ahead of June 6-9 European Parliament elections. The French president lost his majority in France’s most influential parliament, the National Assembly, after the 2022 elections to the far-left coalition and the far-right National Rally party.
The social situation in France remains tense as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games this summer, amid protests by teachers, police and farmers in recent weeks. The protests follow large demonstrations last year against Macron’s ultimately successful proposal to raise the retirement age.
