French President Emmanuel Macron is awarded Charlemagne Prize 2018 for his special services to European Community. The city of Aachen and Charlemagne Prize board attested to 39-year-old a “powerful vision of a new Europe”. He resolutely fights against any form of nationalism and isolationism to overcome European crisis. This is exemplary and “contagious and groundbreaking in a positive sense”. The mayor of city of Aachen, Marcel Philipp, called Macron a courageous thought-out for renewal of European dream.
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The jury was particularly impressed by French president’s passion and European commitment. As offensive as few ors, Macron has put European idea at heart of its political commitment and campaign. He was looking for a discussion with those “who wanted to put project to disposition”.
For speaker of Charlemagne Prize board, Jürgen Linden, one scene is Unforgotten: How newly elected president, at first speech after his victory in inner courtyard of Louvre, did not Marseillaise sounds of European anm, but sound of hymn of Europe. This is why Macron underlined anchoring of France in European Union, Linden said. With his groundbreaking speech “initiative Europe” at Sorbonne in Paris in September, politician once again made Europe brave.
In this speech, Macron had proposed a comprehensive reform package for EU. In doing so, he was strong in favour of a new foundation for Europe, in which France and Germany were to play role of an engine. He pleaded for his own budget and finance minister for eurozone, common social minimum standards in EU and common bonds of euro countries (Eurobonds). Every six months, “Democratic conventions” are to be held throughout Europe, in which citizens can submit ir proposals for furr development of EU. Transnational electoral lists are to be introduced from next European elections in 2019.
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He had received much support for se proposals, but also criticism, among or things from economy. A clear answer from German power headquarters in Berlin is still missing. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is still in government, her position as France’s most important ally cannot be completed at moment. Neverless, Macron fully relies on it; From his environment a preference for a large coalition with SPD is signalled.
Macron was born 1977 in Amiens, norrn France. The son of doctors attended a Jesuit school and studied philosophy and Politikwissensschaft in Paris. Later received a place in cadre of administration ena. He began his professional career in Treasury Department. He became economic adviser to President François Hollande, who later made him Minister of Economics. In 2016, Macron divorced from Holland’s cabinet and founded a political movement of its own. On 7 May 2017, he n sat down at second round of presidential election against right Populistin Marine Le Pen, his party la République en Marche won absolute majority in parliamentary election in June.
Ash, Kohl, Merkel and pope
According to city of Aachen and Charlemagne Prize board, designated laureate has already reacted: Macron feels honoured and is delighted with this high award. The SPD chairman Martin Schulz, who had received award in his former role as President of European Parliament 2015 himself, congratulated Macron “wholeheartedly”. Even if he does not always agree with all points, se are “at least proposals that can be discussed”.
The International Charlemagne Prize for Aachen – named after Charlemagne – has been awarded for special services for European unification since 1950. He goes back to an initiative of Aachen personalities from economy, church, university and city administration. Traditionally, award is given to Ascension.
The award winners are thus in tradition of King (747/748 – 814), which made Aachen centre of his Franconian empire and is considered a thought-leaders of united Europe. This year, for example, British historian and publicist Timothy Garton Ash was awarded Charlemagne Prize, 2016 award was given to Pope Francis. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU, 2008) is also one of prominent laureates. In 1988, Chancellor Helmut Kohl (CDU) and French president François Mitterrand received prize in common.
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