Macron’s ‘European Political Community’ Risks Two-Tiered European Union

On Thursday, October 6 European leaders will gather in Prague to launch a new association for European states adjacent to the European Union. Shortly after his re-election, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a new initiative, the European Political Community (EPC), in a speech to the European Parliament highlighting the urgent need for a faster method of integration. As highlighted at a Wilson Center event, French Ambassador Philippe Etienne stated the EPC will be ‘a place where members of the European family can discuss issues of common interest,’ including political and security cooperation, resilience in the energy sector, transport and infrastructure, and the free movement of persons.