After the result of the legislative elections, is Emmanuel Macron weakened on the European scene?

Let’s say his star faded and in an instant… Remember, that was just eight days ago, in Ukraine. Emmanuel Macron landed in kyiv flanked by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. It concluded in spectacular fashion a semester of presidency of the Council of the European Union which ends next Thursday. He was the boss, that was clear! Moreover, as often, Emmanuel Macron did not skimp on the staging when embracing in front of the cameras Ukrainian President Zelensky, a little embarrassed by such a demonstration. A week later, change of scenery and climate. The Head of State arrived in Brussels with a weakened political weight, without a clear majority and leaving a suspended government and Prime Minister in Paris.

This will not directly have consequences on the role that Emmanuel Macron claims to play in Europe. The European stakes, and the historic one of Ukraine’s accession, do not depend on our national contingencies. But it still falls rather badly for Emmanuel Macron. Especially at a time when Chancellor Olaf Scholz is struggling to assert himself and make Angela Merkel forget. The Head of State intended to take advantage of this to assume a leading role on the European scene, he has not given up on this but it is a little more complicated.

Especially since some of our partners are sometimes annoyed by a certain arrogance on the part of France, often tempted to teach Europeans a little lesson. This time, it’s them who look at us with a little condescension. Because after all, the search for compromise to form a coalition government, this unimaginable formula in France, is the one that governs 19 of the 27 member countries of the European Union.

The two roles, French president and European leader are still clearly distinct. But the concern is that in recent months, it is Emmanuel Macron who has played with the mixture of genres. First by refusing to postpone the semester of the French presidency of the Council of the Union so that it falls right during the presidential campaign. Then by launching between the two legislative towers the call from the tarmac to a “solid majority” just about to fly to Romania and then Ukraine. Waving the European flag was not enough for him to win the legislative elections. It is logical that in return its aura is somewhat tarnished in Europe.