French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called on Germany for European "
solidarity
" in the face of soaring energy prices, warning of the "
distortions
" of competition to which the massive German plan to help households and individuals could drive.
"
We cannot stick to national policies because that creates distortions within the European continent,
" he said in an interview with the French daily
Les Echos
to be published on Monday.
"
Our Europe, as during the Covid crisis, is at a moment of truth (...) We must act with unity and solidarity
", he pleaded.
The government of Olaf Scholz, accused of going it alone with its 200 billion euro support plan to protect its households and businesses, is under pressure from several EU partners to accept more financial solidarity.
Confident "
in the strength of the Franco-German couple
"
“
Germany is at a time of model change, the destabilizing nature of which should not be underestimated
,” conceded Emmanuel Macron.
"
But if we want to be consistent, it is not national strategies that must be adopted but a European strategy
", he insisted.
The Head of State, however, said he was confident “
in the strength of the Franco-German couple and in our ability together to carry out an ambitious strategy
”.
Read alsoShortage and rising prices of heating pellets
European Union leaders will strive at a summit on Thursday and Friday in Brussels to find a common response to soaring energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine.
“
There is European solidarity with regard to Germany and it is normal that there is solidarity from Germany with regard to Europe!
“, insisted the French president.
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