EFA MEPs call on President Macron to respect the European diversity

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke at the plenary session today to discuss his plans and ambitions for the French presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The EFA Group asked President Macron to honour diversity, especially linguistic diversity, in the European Union and called on Macron to respect people's democratic right to decide their own future.

EFA MEPs also condemn President Macron's refusal to fill the French Presidency of the Council, as this happens in the middle of an electoral process and affects the conditions of a legitimate debate.

EFA Group President Jordi Solé said:

“There are several ways to make the European Union stronger. One of them is to fully respect diversity. We cannot be afraid of diversity and democracy, these two elements should be at the heart of our common action.”

“In Catalonia, the Spanish courts are trying to overturn the educational model that has enabled all students to learn in Spanish and in Catalan. In France, languages like Occitan, Corsican, Breton, Alsatian, Basque and Catalan are still considered second class. Be courageous so that these languages have the rights and resources they deserve, as the Molac law initially intended.”

“Mr. President, in your speech you mentioned the European promise of democracy, we hope that, in the European Union, you will work for the respect of the democratic right of all peoples to choose their best future."

EFA MEP  François Alfonsi added:

"Emmanuel Macron refused to postpone the French Presidency of the EU by six months, which would have allowed it to be freed from French electoral issues. By doing so, he has created the conditions for a distorted debate, and then blamed it on his opponents: this is the height of hypocrisy.”