Economist Podcasts

The Intelligence: Our meeting with Macron

May 3, 2024

Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is known for his ambitious visions and deep insights into global issues. In a candid discussion with Sophie Pedder, The Economist's Paris bureau chief, Macron expresses grave concerns about Europe's future, highlighting geopolitical threats from Russia and the rise of nationalism. He stresses the urgent need for collective action and Europe’s independence in defense matters. Macron also reflects on his evolving stance regarding the Ukraine conflict, urging a stronger, unified approach as the continent faces daunting challenges ahead.

29:15

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Episode guests

Sophie Pedder

Emmanuel Macron

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Europe's Existential Dilemmas

14min

Navigating European Defense in a New Geopolitical Landscape

4min

Macron's Evolving Diplomatic Stance on Ukraine

2min

Navigating Europe's Future: Technology and Politics

7min

Insights and Offers: Concluding the Discussion

2min

France’s president is known for pronouncements of grand scope with one eye toward history. But when our journalists visited him at his residence his assessment of the state of the world was bleak—a dark, prophetic call to arms. In this special episode, we ask whether his view is accurate, whether his proposed solutions would work and whether he is the person to enact them.

Read the full transcript of our interview here.

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