🇫🇷 President Macron has just addressed the nation. It was a good, clear-eyed & powerful speech. Quick summary (1/5):
Georgina Wright
11.5K posts
Georgina Wright
@GeorginaEWright
- Replying to @GeorginaEWright5. Future: Macron ends by saying that yesterday's habits cannot be tomorrow's solutions. Europe must come together to determine its future and to protect itself. END.
- Replying to @GeorginaEWright1. The facts: world is more "brutal" & peace in Europe is no longer "guaranteed". Ukrainians fighting for their country & Europe's security; US is an ally but has changed view on Ukraine and is threatening tariffs on Europe. Future of EU cannot be determined in Washington.
- Replying to @GeorginaEWright2. EU is acting: lots of meetings, reconvening in Brussels tomorrow after meetings in Paris and London. Must support Ukraine so it's in a (stronger) position to negotiate. 🚨 Major EU announcements on defence expected tomorrow following extraordinary EU summit.
- Replying to @GeorginaEWright3. Need for Europe to come together and do more for its defence: mentioned the UK, Germany, but also Denmark, Poland, etc. Ukraine must have long-lasting peace. Security guarantees may involve EU troops on the ground - but only after peace has been negotiated
- Replying to @GeorginaEWright4. New debates: heads of EU armies are meeting in Paris next week to discuss guarantees and EU security. More defence means more EU industrial opportunities. France is also ready to re-open debate on nuclear deterrence (but decision will always be 🇫🇷 President's to take)
- Powerful intervention by French gov's spokesperson: 1. PM letter does not reflect everything FR has done & is doing to address migration 2. UK refused to send ppl to process asylum claims in France (which wd prevent ppl taking boats) 3. Letter not true to PM-President callMigrants: Gabriel Attal (@GabrielAttal) juge la lettre de Boris Johnson "indigente sur le fond et totalement déplacée sur la forme"
00:00 - The EU's decision has literally nothing to do with Brexit or the UK. The EU's new visa scheme was negotiated and voted on *before the UK left the EU*. It was always due to come into force in early 2020s and it applies to most third countries."This is spite and divisiveness on the part of the EU" British holidaymakers could be charged for entering the EU under new plans for a visa scheme. Is it to be expected because of Brexit or is it unfair? @OwenJones84 | @thecarolemalone | #JeremyVine
00:00 - Welsh and Scottish governments and now NI Assembly calling for an extension to the #Brexit transition period🚨 That's it. The NI Assembly has passed a motion calling for a transition extension until we get through the COVID crisis. For the past 3 years the UK Govenrment said it wanted to listen to NI's representatives. We've spoken - over to them.
- British Commissioner not mincing his words. He will know: he’s been at the head of the EU’s security brief for almost 3 years.Crass and dangerous. If you think extreme language doesn’t fuel political violence across Europe, incl UK, then you’re not paying attention
- Not this again. UK & EU do NOT have until 31 Dec. To avoid a no-deal cliff edge, UK & EU must: - Conclude a deal - Approve deal (EU voting much more complex this time round) - Give time to businesses to adapt to new trading reality (new forms, delays are border etc)"We've got until the end of December to come up with an agreement," says Conservative MP Mark Francois "[The EU has] blinked once, and I believe if we hold our nerve they will blink again" bbc.in/2XRWxc2
00:00 - Why did Macron decide to dissolve the Assemblée Nationale (🇫🇷 lower house of parliament) & call early legislative elections. Only Macron's immediate entourage know but here are some personal thoughts 🧵:
- Extending the transition period is a lovely idea - in theory. But in practice, it's a total minefield and not clear it can be done in time. Why? Thread.
- Lots of talk (& confusion) today about EU ratification & #Brexit. All you need to know in this short thread.
