Key facts
- French presidential candidate Gabriel Attal vowed to create a "United States of Europe" if elected.
- Attal proposed a two-speed EU to accelerate economic integration among willing member states.
- He called for joint European debt, removal of trade barriers, and encouragement of mergers, particularly in telecoms and financial services.
- Attal criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's recent State of the Union speech and a trade deal with the U.S.
French presidential hopeful Gabriel Attal has outlined a bold pro-European vision, aiming to forge a "United States of Europe" if he wins next year's election. Drawing inspiration from Italian statesmen Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, Attal's proposals focus on deepening economic integration to better compete with global powers like the U.S. and China. He suggested a "two-speed" European Union where like-minded countries could accelerate the merging of their economies and regulatory frameworks through a new treaty, subject to a referendum. Attal also advocated for common European debt issuance, the elimination of internal trade barriers, and the promotion of cross-border mergers, especially within the telecommunications and financial services sectors.
Attal, a centrist candidate, is attempting to distinguish himself in a crowded field, particularly from rivals Edouard Philippe and Marine Le Pen. His campaign strategy emphasizes a strong pro-European stance, a move that carries risks given some French voters' skepticism towards the EU, particularly concerning agricultural trade deals and environmental regulations. Attal paid tribute to outgoing President Emmanuel Macron's European legacy while also criticizing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for what he deemed an insufficient response to the bloc's challenges and for a recent trade deal with the U.S.
The potential conflict of interest arising from Attal's relationship with Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné, his romantic partner, was acknowledged by Séjourné himself, though he believes it would not be an issue if Attal wins. Attal's campaign director indicated that European Parliament members would soon endorse the proposals, with MEP Valérie Hayer, a supporter of Attal's bid, criticizing the European Commission and some member states for "inertia" in implementing reforms.