Macron's shift on EU green rules sparks backlash
French President Emmanuel Macron's push to weaken E.U. environmental regulations has angered allies and raised doubts about his commitment to green policies.
Giorgio Leali reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Macron has called for a "massive regulatory break," arguing that strict green regulations harm European businesses' competitiveness.
- France, once a leader in E.U. sustainability efforts, now seeks to delay corporate environmental reporting requirements and due diligence rules.
- The move has sparked opposition from Macron’s own party, with critics warning that rolling back green standards will leave Europe following U.S. rules instead of setting its own.
Key quote:
"We ourselves have supported certain regulations with very good intentions, and I share their philosophy. But at the moment we're living in, we need to be able to suspend them until we've regained our ability to compete."
— French President Emmanuel Macron
Why this matters:
France’s reversal on environmental regulations signals a broader shift in Europe, where economic concerns are challenging the Green Deal agenda. Business groups argue that excessive red tape makes European companies less competitive against U.S. and Chinese firms. Meanwhile, right-wing political forces critical of green policies are gaining ground, further pressuring leaders to weaken climate commitments. Macron’s move could set a precedent for other E.U. nations, potentially undermining years of progress on corporate sustainability and climate action.
Related: Far-right gains threaten the EU's environmental policies
