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ELECTION

Danish politicians congratulate Macron on French election victory

Danish politicians across the political spectrum have congratulated French President-elect Emmanuel Macron and offered their support following the En Marche candidate’s convincing win in Sunday’s election.

Published: 8 May 2017 11:34 CEST
Danish politicians congratulate Macron on French election victory
France's new President-elect Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Eric Peferberg/AFP/Scanpix Denmark

Several of the Danish politicians used words like ‘hope’ and ‘cooperation’ in social media reactions to the French election. 

Others expressed relief at what they said was the best result for a united Europe, after Macron defeated far-right Front National candidate Marine Le Pen.

“We can achieve more together than on our own. Looking forward to our cooperation,” wrote Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Twitter.

Congratulations Emmanuel Macron! We must strengthen free trade, growth, employment and security in the EU and continue our military cooperation,” wrote foreign minister Anders Samuelsen.

The nationalist, EU-sceptic Danish People's Party's foreign policy spokesman Søren Espersen was also quick to congratulate Macron on Twitter, writing that he hoped the election of the 39-year-old pro-EU centrist would be “of benefit for the great, admirable French people.”

But the leader of Espersen's party , Kristian Thulesen Dahl, did not hide his regret at the defeat of fellow populist Le Pen, writing on Facebook that the EU's leadership had “got its man elected”.

“Now they are setting up for more EU and less nation-state. As well as a tough position against the British, so that they feel punished for leaving the EU,” Dahl added.

Denmark's opposition parties were broadly positive in their reactions to Macron's victory, with the Social Liberal (Radikale Venstre) leader Morten Østergaard writing the France had chosen “the future instead of the past. Hope instead of fear. Cooperation instead of isolation. Macron instead of Le Pen.”

Uffe Ulbæk, leader of the green Alternative party, also expressed his enthusiasm for the French result.

 

Nick Hækkerup, foreign policy spokesperson with the Social Democrats, Denmark's largest party in opposition, wrote that the best thing about the outcome in France was the “victory over nationalist populism” that had seen success elsewhere in Europe and the United States.

READ MORE: The Local France's extensive coverage of the French presidential election

POLITICS

France vows to block EU-South America trade deal in current form

France has vowed to prevent a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc from being signed with its current terms, as the country is rocked by farmer protests.

Published: 31 January 2024 15:46 CET
France vows to block EU-South America trade deal in current form

The trade deal, which would include agricultural powers Argentina and Brazil, is among a litany of complaints by farmers in France and elsewhere in Europe who have been blocking roads to demand better conditions for their sector.

They fear it would further depress their produce prices amid increased competition from exporting nations that are not bound by strict and costly EU environmental laws.

READ ALSO Should I cancel my trip to France because of farmers’ protests?

“This Mercosur deal, as it stands, is not good for our farmers. It cannot be signed as is, it won’t be signed as is,” Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told broadcasters CNews and Europe 1.

The European Commission acknowledged on Tuesday that the conditions to conclude the deal with Mercosur, which also includes Paraguay and Uruguay, “are not quite there yet”.

The talks, however, are continuing, the commission said.

READ ALSO 5 minutes to understand French farmer protests

President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France opposes the deal because it “doesn’t make Mercosur farmers and companies abide by the same rules as ours”.

The EU and the South American nations have been negotiating since 2000.

The contours of a deal were agreed in 2019, but a final version still needs to be ratified.

The accord aims to cut import tariffs on – mostly European – industrial and pharmaceutical goods, and on agricultural products.

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