Former French prime minister Édouard Philippe has warned that a victory by Marine Le Pen in France’s presidential election would severely weaken the European Union’s political engine and mutual trust. Speaking at the World in Progress forum in Barcelona, Philippe said that Le Pen’s proposals would amount to breaking France’s contract with Europe, even though she no longer openly advocates leaving the bloc.
The event, organised by PRISA, brought together Philippe and former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi to discuss Europe’s position in a changing geopolitical environment. Both politicians argued that closer cooperation between France and Germany is essential to restoring confidence and enthusiasm in the European project.
Renzi said that a French president opposed to Europe would create a serious threat to the continent’s future. Philippe, meanwhile, said that French and German societies increasingly understand one another less, making it urgent to rebuild the relationship between the two countries.
Philippe, a leading centre-right potential challenger to Le Pen in a second round of the presidential election, predicted deeper European divisions if Le Pen or left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon were to win. He said France was facing an economic, social, cultural and identity crisis after a decade of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency. In his view, the far right and the radical left differ politically but share opposition to the European Union, while avoiding an explicit call to leave because French voters do not want to distance themselves from Europe.
The former prime minister also criticised France’s political fragmentation, which he said had worsened since 2024. The country is divided into three blocs that are unwilling to work together, he argued, creating instability and political paralysis. Philippe said France would need to regain a parliamentary majority in 2027 to restore order and pursue reforms.
Renzi called for a more political and less bureaucratic European Union, with renewed leadership from France and Germany. He also expressed concern about the departure of European young people and talent to the United States, arguing that universities should become places capable of generating hope and opportunity.
Philippe said recent youth protests should serve as a warning to governments that remain focused on outdated debates. He argued that European leaders needed to listen more closely to young people’s concerns and complete the single market, which he described as important for attracting talent.
The two politicians also discussed the impact of Donald Trump’s continued political influence in the United States. Philippe said Trump sought to fragment Europe and leave it disorganised, while Renzi argued that Europeans could not expect a change in his approach and predicted the eventual end of the Trumpist political cycle.
Sources: El País Internacional.