Is Macron using threat of World War Three to cement himself as the King of the EU?
Macron speaking on EU sovereignty as he meets the Swedish PM today
REUTERS
Macron met with Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson today and signed agreements to strengthen military ties between France and Sweden.
But during the meeting he was quick to make sure he repeated his call for greater EU sovereignty.
The French president was particularly keen to put deepening military cooperation between Sweden and the EU front and centre of his discussion.
Macron's push for EU sovereignty and power is fully known but with the rising threat of Russia and the fear of another world war, the French President's EU power play message is cutting through.
Macron met with Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson
REUTERS
Speaking at a meeting with Kristersson, he said: "We want to determine a number of projects that we want to produce together, particularly as part of the European defence technological and industrial base."
Macron has cemented himself as the de facto head of the EU in the wake of the retirement of German mother of Europe - Angela Merkel.
Fredrik Erixon, director of the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE), in Brussels previously told the Telegraph that Europe was losing its focus on economic growth in the pursuit of power and influence with Macron leading the pursuit.
He has continuously positioned himself as the voice of the EU states calling for the strengthening of EU power - particularly militarily.
He added in Sweden: "Through this agreement, but also through our cooperation, we serve our commitment to European sovereignty."
Macron's power has gone from strength to strength since he played a pivotal role in brokering the deal which placed Ursula Von Der Leyen at the EU helm in 2019. And his vision is very much Europe first - with France in the driver's seat.
Fears are also growing in Europe of the return of former US President Donald Trump. Another reason why Macron is so keen to push a sovereign and more powerful EU.
The French President has always had a sovereign vision of a European superstate - he first articulated it in a speech in 2019 at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
He called for a bigger EU budget, a complete banking union and a European army.
Now with the threat of World War Three and the growing fear of Putin on Europe's doorstep, Macron has been given the opportunity to push his personal agenda and portray himself as the ultimate 'King of the EU'.