Macron’s EU dreams OVER? Merkel’s coalition to CRUSH Frenchman’s drive for federal Europe

Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) have agreed a “grand coalition” after months of political deadlock and negotiations.   

Chancellor Merkel’s coalition agreement “falls short” of the ambitions of the French president, according to the newspaper Le Monde. 

The newspaper reported: “Even though the coalition agreement pledges to reform the eurozone, the wording is vague and falls short of the initial ambitions of the French president.” 

The French officials seeking Mr Macron’s ambitions for Europe may be constrained by the conservatives in Mrs Merkel’s coalition, who have been more reticent about the prospect of closer economic integration. 

In January, the CDU’s Economic Council raised concerns the coalition with the SPD could support radical EU reforms championed by Mr Macron. 

Last year, the French President set out his desire for a common budget, a finance minister, coordination on issues like tax and a parliament for the 19 members of the eurozone. 

He said: “Those who want to go further, faster, must do so without being stopped, faced with these challenges the Franco-German impetus will be decisive.” 

The French president has said that 2018 will be “decisive” for Europe as he pushes forward plans for EU integration. 

In a New Year’s address, Mr Macron said: “We need to rediscover a European ambition, to rediscover a more sovereign, more untied, more democratic Europe because it is good for our people.” 

Mr Macron has also voiced his desire to introduce a common budget for the Eurozone, along with its own finance minister. 

The European Parliament has just voted against a plan to create a transnational list of MEPs after Brexit. 

This plan was part of Mr Macron’s idea to strengthen the democratic accountability of the EU. 

As part of the new coalition, the SPD mayor of Hamburg Olaf Scholz, seen as a centrist from the party’s liberal wing will succeed Wolfgang Schauble as Germany’s finance minister.