Skip to content

Since 2005, when the French and the Dutch voted "no" on a…

“Since 2005, when the French and the Dutch voted "no" on a constitution for Europe, nobody has developed a real project for the EU. And certainly not France. If there were ideas, they came from Wolfgang Schäuble or Joschka Fischer, and these German ideas were downright quashed by France. I want to…” quote by Emmanuel Macron
Download Open image
“Since 2005, when the French and the Dutch voted "no" on a constitution for Europe, nobody has developed a real project for the EU. And certainly not France. If there were ideas, they came from Wolfgang Schäuble or Joschka Fischer, and these German ideas were downright quashed by France. I want to put an end to that.”

Emmanuel Macron

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker criticizes the EU's lack of initiative since 2005, blaming France for stifling German proposals and calling for renewed collaboration.

In simple terms: EU stagnates due to French resistance to German ideas.

Key Takeaway

Promote cross‑national cooperation.

Themes

politics EU collaboration

Mood

critical optimistic

Type

analytical strategic

When to use this quote

  • budget negotiations
  • legislative reforms
  • energy projects
  • defense initiatives
  • digital market

Key Concepts

sovereignty policy inertia

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can member states balance national interests with EU unity?
  • What mechanisms can ensure equitable idea sharing?
A Different Perspective

French opposition may be rooted in legitimate concerns.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Emmanuel Macron

Explore all 130 Emmanuel Macron quotes

More Constitution quotes

Browse all 4,507 Constitution quotes