The French President took aim at Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Italy’s deputer prime minister Matteo Salvini by warning them their steer towards nationalism is a “big mistake”.
The pair have teamed up to form a conservative, anti-migration political alliance ahead of next May’s European Parliament election and labelled Mr Macron their number one enemy.
Both nations have taken a hardline stance against immigration, with Italy’s new government refusing to let migrant rescue ships dock and Hungary passing laws to punish anyone found to help asylum seekers.
The French president accused both leaders of “playing” on citizens fears to gain support for their anti-immigration policies which “revert to populism”. He said “cooperation” and “collective” change is the best way to reform the EU.
Speaking after Bloomberg Global Business Forum at the Plaza Hotel in New York, Emmanuel Macron said: “What I propose for their country, is not a solution to address migration, but it is incompatible within Europe.
“Viktor Orban doesn’t want to take migrants from Italy, he is the worst enemy of Italy because nationalism is just generalised war.
“My objective is to first deliver reforms in France and Europe, to show it works, it is better for people, it provides results to decrease unemployment, to provide more security.
“Second, I want to convince people that cooperation is the best way to address our collective challenges, migration, climate change and digital challenges.
Speaking after Bloomberg Global Business Forum at the Plaza Hotel in New York, Emmanuel Macron said: “What I propose for their country, is not a solution to address migration, but it is to be compatible with Europe.
“Viktor Orban doesn’t want to take migrants from Italy, he is the worst enemy of Italy because nationalism is just generalised war.
“My objective is to first deliver reforms in France and Europe, to show it works, it is better for people, it provides results to decrease unemployment, to provide more security.
“Second, I want to convince people that cooperation is the best way to address our collective challenges, migration, climate change and digital challenges.
“All these challenges are impossible to be addressed at a national level.”
When quizzed over the actions of Hungary’s Prime Minister Mr Orban and Mr Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and leader of Lega, Mr Macron said “closing borders” and “reverting to nationalism” was not the answer to the EU’s problems.
Mr Macron added: “They are playing in to fears. I don’t believe in globalisation without any protection for workers and for people.
“I don’t think we can precisely address our weaknesses and the deep needs and feelings of our people by closing borders and reverting to nationalism. I think this is a big mistake.”
Mr Orban is currently on a collision course with Brussels as he works towards boosting his country’s sovereignty.
Member states voted to begin so-called Article 7 proceedings which could see Hungary lose its voting rights in the EU after Mr Orban pushed through controversial domestic laws.
He wants to take control of universities and the media, and has imposed a law which punishes lawyers, charities and activists for helping asylum seekers.
The bloc has also been hit by a rise in support for far-right, anti-immigration parties in national and regional elections, following the unprecedented refugee crisis that pushed millions of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa to seek refuge in Europe.
But the French liberal said member states were better together when addressing the challenges faced by the bloc, including migration, climate change and digital problems.
Mr Macron has repeatedly warned next year’s parliamentary election will be an open battle between anti-immigrant nationalists and pro-Europe progressives.
But Mr Orban and Mr Salvini have vowed to plough on with their plans to reform the bloc.
Mr Salvini said: “We want to change Europe’s commission. We want to protect our borders. We are going to fight pro-migrant policies supported by Mr Macron and George Soros.”
And the Hungarian hardliner echoed his ally’s words, saying: “European elections are coming. We have to change a lot of things. There are two sides at the moment in Europe.
“One is led by Mr Macron, who is supporting migration. The other one is supported by countries who want to protect their borders. Hungary and Italy belong to the latter.”