A lively debate on how we envisage Europe’s future will be good for European democracy, particularly in the run-up to the European elections. Emmanuel Macron provides very valuable input on this issue. Some of his proposals are based on ideas on which Germany and France are already working.

I could also envisage further priorities, for instance, with regard to maintaining European cohesion and to the rule of law. It is no bad thing, of course, if a debate of this kind is controversial.

What is vital is that we do not leave the way free for those who want to fuel people’s fear of Europe but that we discuss which reform ideas we can use to strengthen the European Union – in the interests of its citizens.