Emmanuel Macron’s rivals are less Eurosceptic than before

FIVE YEARSEUEUEUEUNATOEU ago, when Brexit prompted fears that the European Union would unravel, Emmanuel Macron put Europe at the heart of his political identity. Supporters at his rallies enthusiastically waved the flag. So it was no surprise that, with France in charge of the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the since January 1st, the French president headed on January 19th to the European Parliament in Strasbourg to renew his vows.The , declared Mr Macron, represented democracy, progress and peace at a time when each was under threat. Faced with rising authoritarian powers, breaches of the rule of law within the and the menace of war on its doorstep, “European civilisation” needed to be upheld and cherished. He pleaded for a “new security order” in Europe. Resolute Atlanticists, especially in eastern Europe, hate the idea, which they think undermines , but it is an abiding French passion. France had hung the flag alone under the Arc de Triomphe to launch the French presidency, noted the president—a decision met with howls of protest by his domestic opponents. “I’m proud of that,” he declared.