Emmanuel Macron wants to replicate Merkel and RULE the European Union, says biographer – Express.co.uk

The French President is hoping to introduce swathes of European Union reform as he hopes to combat the eurosceptic feelings across his country having defeated leading anti-EU candidate Marine Le Pen.

Adam Plowright, who is releasing Mr Macrons biography in September, said the President hopes to introduce policy to make French people feel like they will not fall victim of the blocs plans for globalisation.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mr Plowright said: He was elected in May, promising to completely reform the European Union.

Part of that agenda is making a Europe that is more protective, that makes French people feel like Europe helps them, shields them from globalisation.

GETTY

Emmanuel Macron was elected in May, promising to completely reform the European Union

Adam Plowright

Mr Macron has been working hard to earn the support of eastern European states for his reforms to freedom of movement and labour across the Continent.

The French President ruffled feathers across the bloc by questioning its posted workers policy which allows European companies to send employees to work in another EU member country while continuing to pay benefits and taxes in their own country.

High-wage countries such as France argue this amounts to social dumping by allowing companies with lower costs to compete unfairly with local firms.

Many central and eastern European states see the planned changes as nothing more than veiled protectionism and are vehemently opposed.

Emmanuel Macron said: The single European market and the free movement of workers is not meant to create a race to the bottom in terms of social regulations.

I think that Europe should protect [its citizens], and in that way, the European integration project should get a new meaning. Ultimately our citizens want to free themselves from the pressures of globalisation.

A Europe that protects is also in the position to solve the problem of posted workers. The posted workers directive, as it currently works, is a betrayal of the European spirit This only fuels populism in our countries.

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French President Emmanuel Macron poses with his wife Brigitte Trogneux at the Elysee presidential Palace

Estonia, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, is due to table a new proposal in September.

The French president enlisted the Czech and Slovak leaders, meaning he now has half of the four-nation Visegrad group which has opposed western European countries on issues including migrants and reform of the posted workers' directive.

Robert Fico, the Slovak prime minister, said progress had been made and reaching a deal by a meeting of European leaders in October was realistic

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