English: French President Macron outlined to MEPs on Wednesday the main goals and the political strategy for France’s semester steering the EU.

In a debate in the Strasbourg hemicycle, President Macron explained that the promises on which the EU was founded -democracy, progress and peace- are now under threat, and called for a commitment “to give them new life”. He warned that the end of the rule of law is the beginning of authoritarianism and stressed that the EU needs to use dialogue to win back those that are “drifting away” from democratic principles.

He assured MEPs that the French Presidency will prioritise legislative files that improve the quality of employment, ensure decent salaries, reduce the gender wage gap, give rights to platform workers, fight discrimination and guarantee gender balance on company boards. He also proposed to include the right to abortion in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. President Macron also referred to the climate, digital and security challenges, areas in which draft laws should be advanced during this semester.

In the field of defence, President Macron stressed that Europe must be able to anticipate risks and guarantee its own safety. He underlined that we have to stand firm in the face of interference and attempts to destabilise Europe, in particular from Russia, and effectively punish those who violate international rules.

“Europe should become a cultural, democratic and educational power (...) we have the strength and the means”, he concluded.

Read more: www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220114IPR2101...

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