TLDR: The article discusses the waning of Macron’s influence in European politics due toelection defeats few months ago. As a case in point EU-Mercosur deal has been taken. Ironically enough, the weakining of the leader of European liberals opened a way to get this long sought deal done.
The deal is supported by at least 11 member states (Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic) while opposition is made up of France, Austria and potentially Ireland.
Negotiation topics over the past few days have included implementation and the chances of deal being clinched by G-20 meeting in mid November are pretty high so keep your fingers crossed.
Article summary:
>After a quarter of a century of on-off talks, an accord between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc is once again within reach…
>And this time the French president, its strongest opponent, may have lost his de facto power of veto on trade after a string of political and electoral setbacks eroded his clout in Brussels.
>Chief negotiators from both sides will meet again from Oct. 7-9 in Brasília to try and ready a deal in time for a mid-November G20 leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro
>*Having been re-confirmed, the president of the Commission thinks she has a free hand to speed up the negotiation and conclusion of the agreement with Mercosur despite opposition from France and other countries -* said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a French MEP from Macron’s centrist camp
>A larger part of opinion among EU governments is, however, in favor of the deal. In addition to Germany, von der Leyen can count on the support of 10 other EU countries that have jointly urged Brussels to speed up negotiations (Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic.)
>These could be approved by the European Parliament and a qualified majority of at least 15 member countries representing 65 percent of the EU population. Only — less contentious — sections relating to political cooperation and investment would need to go through national parliaments.
>Speaking privately, some French officials are coming to terms with the fact that Paris lacks the allies it needs to stop the deal. France would have to find at least three other EU Member States to vote against, all together representing at least 35 percent of the EU population,” explained Vidigal, noting that Ireland could be one of France’s very few allies.
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TLDR: The article discusses the waning of Macron’s influence in European politics due toelection defeats few months ago. As a case in point EU-Mercosur deal has been taken. Ironically enough, the weakining of the leader of European liberals opened a way to get this long sought deal done.
The deal is supported by at least 11 member states (Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic) while opposition is made up of France, Austria and potentially Ireland.
Negotiation topics over the past few days have included implementation and the chances of deal being clinched by G-20 meeting in mid November are pretty high so keep your fingers crossed.
Article summary:
>After a quarter of a century of on-off talks, an accord between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc is once again within reach…
>And this time the French president, its strongest opponent, may have lost his de facto power of veto on trade after a string of political and electoral setbacks eroded his clout in Brussels.
>Chief negotiators from both sides will meet again from Oct. 7-9 in Brasília to try and ready a deal in time for a mid-November G20 leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro
>*Having been re-confirmed, the president of the Commission thinks she has a free hand to speed up the negotiation and conclusion of the agreement with Mercosur despite opposition from France and other countries -* said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a French MEP from Macron’s centrist camp
>A larger part of opinion among EU governments is, however, in favor of the deal. In addition to Germany, von der Leyen can count on the support of 10 other EU countries that have jointly urged Brussels to speed up negotiations (Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic.)
>These could be approved by the European Parliament and a qualified majority of at least 15 member countries representing 65 percent of the EU population. Only — less contentious — sections relating to political cooperation and investment would need to go through national parliaments.
>Speaking privately, some French officials are coming to terms with the fact that Paris lacks the allies it needs to stop the deal. France would have to find at least three other EU Member States to vote against, all together representing at least 35 percent of the EU population,” explained Vidigal, noting that Ireland could be one of France’s very few allies.