, Columnist
Emmanuel Macron Misses a Chance to Stay Quiet
The dispute with Italy over the Aquarius migrant ship was diplomatically inept and hypocritical.
Border bust up.
Photographer: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFPThis article is for subscribers only.
Two weeks before a crucial meeting of EU leaders, member countries are at loggerheads again over immigration. A diplomatic spat between France and Italy’s new populist government shows how difficult it will be for the European Council to strike a meaningful deal at the end of June on topics such as relocating refugees or deepening the monetary union.
The problem is tone as much as substance. So long as politicians keep playing to their domestic galleries, the compromises Europe needs to thrive will remain elusive.