![French President Emmanuel Macron speaks before the European Parliament on April 17, 2018 in the eastern French city of Strasbourg.
Macron addressed the European Parliament for the first time in a bid to shore up support for his ambitious plans for post-Brexit reforms of the EU. French leader wants big changes in the face of growing scepticism about the European project, but there has been a marked lack of enthusiasm from Berlin to Budapest. Macron's speech to MEPs in the eastern French city of Strasbourg is part of a charm offensive ahead of European Parliament elections in May 2019, the first after Britain's departure.
/ AFP PHOTO / Frederick FLORIN](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5ISTAC3QAYVQ3GSQMLVGF54LE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=43c972830723b997e0cfd77cbb28ef050c0a331aa5ffc56269ba2dcf7a410b3c&width=400&height=225)
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.Frederick Florin / AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.Frederick Florin / AFP
France's Macron warns Europe against 'authoritarianism'
German scepticism, fears over migrants and clashes over EU expansion could thwart Emmanuel Macron’s vision for a more integrated eurozone
The National staff
17 April, 2018