Emmanuel Macron wants to position himself as the interlocutor of choice for Donald Trump, but above all he could prove to be weakened by French political instability.
He has not yet taken office but will already make his first state trip. Donald Trump, elected in the American presidential election, will be present on Saturday December 7 for the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris. He responded to Emmanuel Macron’s invitation. A first strong message for the billionaire, who is already establishing his presidential authority internationally. While outgoing President Joe Biden will be absent, represented by first lady Jill Biden.
The choice of Donald Trump as American guest is a double-edged sword for Emmanuel Macron. The newspaper Der Spiegel (in an article translated by International mail) wonders what message the French head of state wants to send by inviting Donald Trump rather than Kamala Harris, still American vice-president. If he had chosen the Democrat, Emmanuel Macron “would then have shown true greatness, and proven that Europe knows (sometimes) how to be a model of morality”, believes the German daily.
The World also sees the meeting between the two men as a “diplomatic blow” for Emmanuel Macron. For him, it is a question of starting collaboration with Donald Trump as the future American leader, and positioning himself as the interlocutor of choice with the Republican. An opportunity to discuss the major issues that the billionaire’s return to power could change: the customs duties that the American threatens to impose against European imports, the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, note The Parisian.
But the current French political instability could well cause the opposite effect. Without a Prime Minister, with a divided parliament, and suffering calls for resignation, Emmanuel Macron finds himself weakened. For Der SpiegelDonald Trump’s trip will be an opportunity for him to try to eclipse the French president. Especially since he was elected hands down a month ago.