FRANCE AND THE CONCEPT OF EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNISM AT THE INTEGRATION CROSSROAD

KOVAČEVIĆ Maja (Dr Maja Kovačević je vanredni profesor na Fakultetu političkih nauka Univerziteta u Beogradu), maja.kovacevic@fpn.bg.ac.rs
M. VUKASOVIĆ Dejana (Dr Dejana Vukasović je viši naučni saradnik u Institutu za političke studije, Beograd)

The article examines the politics of French presidents towards European integration, with the focus on President Macronʼs proposals concerning European sovereignism. The authors apply the Liberal Intergovernmentalism, which models the EU reforms as a three-stage process in which states first define preferences, then engage in interstate bargaining, and finally design common institutions. The main thesis of this article is that France has relatively stable preferences – augmenting its power through European integration, which is also translated into Macronʼs politics, despite seemingly paradoxical proposals on further delegation of competences to the EU. France is refusing the status quo in the Union divided on key issues, and strongly advocate a Europe of concentric circles. The high intensity of French preferences for the EU reforms is demonstrated through the alternative coalition’s projects, such as the European Intervention Initiative or redefinition of its relations with Russia. Contrary to common interpretations of France as the weaker partner in the Franco-German axis after the Bing Bang enlargement and Eurozone crisis, the authorsʼ thesis is that France is regaining a stronger role at the integration crossroad. In the context of the uncertain future of the transatlantic partnership, Chinaʼs rise and the threat of further EU marginalization in contemporary international relations, France is determined to have the “balancing power” status on the global stage. Based on its military and diplomatic power, as well as large geographic influence, France is offering a strong alliance to Germany, which has no serious alternative. The authors conclude that this alliance would provide an opportunity for both countries to further project their power, and create a new context for inevitable re-opening of the ”German question”.

Keywords: European Union, France, European sovereignism, liberal intergovernmentalism, Franco-German axis