The party is meeting in Menton to discuss its position on Europe in anticipation of the European elections in May 2019. On this occasion, a series of proposals and a platform to present the party’s positions must be presented. With the current diversity of opinions, it will not be easy to find a compromise.
It will therefore be necessary to find the right balance to satisfy everyone.
Jean Leonetti, recently appointed as the party’s second-in-command and a likely top candidate for the European elections in May 2019, is optimistic: “The debate is taking place and will be held calmly because we all know that we have a good political space for projects, and we can offer an alternative to the pro-European versus eurosceptic divide.”
But the first answer will come from the presence or absence of heavyweights…
Meanwhile, yesterday afternoon, Laurent Wauquiez visited the “bold” Republican Christian Estrosi, surrounded by his close associates. The “lord” of Nice went ahead in the debate by presenting the European proposals of his movement “La France audacieuse” a few days ago, which are decidedly more pro-Europe than the muddled document the Republicans will discuss at the National Council.
This visit, whether friendly or a matter of Republican courtesy, clearly shows that any ultimatum to Christian Estrosi from his party is not on the agenda, at least for now.
The ambiguity remains to the detriment of those who would like to clarify the situation to plan for the future. 2020 is not so far away…
The Republican Political Bureau will present seven commitments to the National Council that lay the groundwork for the party’s European stance.
- Our European commitment:
We, the Republicans, believe that France needs Europe to meet the challenges we face. European construction must respect the will of the people and nations. Abandoning the Euro would be madness.
- Secure borders:
The Republicans make the protection of our European borders from uncontrolled mass immigration and the threat of Islamist terrorism their top priority.
- Stable borders:
The Republicans reject any further enlargement of the European Union or the Schengen area.
- European preference and reciprocity:
The Republicans are committed to community preference for our businesses, jobs, and farmers. They demand that the principle of reciprocity be the cornerstone of our trade policy.
- Rejection of unfair competition:
The Republicans believe in free enterprise and reject unfair competition, as well as the misuse of posted work.
- Fewer regulations. More projects:
The Republicans want to reform the competencies of the European Union: fewer regulations, more decisions made at the state level, and new cooperations in the fields of Defense, medical research, the Internet, major transport infrastructures, etc. They want to facilitate exchanges among young Europeans and strengthen Erasmus.
- A European civilization:
The Republicans do not forget that before being an institutional construction, Europe is a common civilization, whose identity, culture, roots, and values we want to pass on.
