The European Parliament needs a progressive coalition spearheaded by leaders like Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
In an interview with Belgian daily Le Soir, Macron lauded the Belgian leader’s “political courage,” and said he hoped Michel would win in both the Belgian and European elections this Sunday, because he thought the European Parliament (EP) needed leaders like Michel.
“The European Parliament (EP) (...) needs a larger and more balanced coalition,” Macron said. “This coalition should be built by leaders like Charles Michel, Mark Rutte, Antonio Costa and others,” The French president said, referring to his Belgian, Dutch and Portuguese counterparts.
Macron said that Michel’s politics were “courageous and effective,” and that his leadership had given back “real weight and strength to Belgium” on the European stage.
According to Macron, the Belgian prime minister’s political career make him an ideal candidate for a top EU job.
“His qualities and his political career mean he is completely qualified to have legitimate European ambitions,” the French president said.
The European election will take place on the same day as the Belgian federal and regional elections on May 26.
The Brussels Times
