European lawmakers to meet Macron to discuss safeguarding political center

PARIS — European lawmakers from the Renew parliamentary group will meet President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday to discuss how to safeguard the political center he helped build, according to a party official and a government official.

The French leader will welcome Renew MEPs to the Elysée Palace — the first time he’s done so since taking office in 2017 — in the aftermath of the Alternative for Germany party’s historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday.

Renew confirmed the meeting on its website, saying lawmakers are meeting with Macron “for an exchange of views on the key European and global issues on the agenda.”

A Renew official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the meeting agenda, said lawmakers are growing particularly concerned about the prospect of far-right parties taking power in Germany and France, where Marine Le Pen has a commanding lead in the polls for the spring 2027 presidential race.

“Pro-Europeans … are worried about what happens after Macron because they recognize his vision and ambition for Europe,” said the official.

The burning question on everyone’s lips is what Macron, who cannot run for a third consecutive term, can and will do next. The 48-year-old has given little indication of his plans after he steps down in May 2027, but he has hinted at once again running for the presidency when he is eligible in 2032.

“Lawmakers will question the president on his political future, many would like to see him play a role at a European level,” said the Renew official.

But Macron has also indicated that he will focus on his role as French president until the very last day, raising fears he is not preparing the future of his centrist movement when he leaves office. Last May, he said he would “think about what comes next” after the end of his mandate.

The talks in Paris will also focus on the upcoming State of the Union speech by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Multiannual Financial Framework, social media bans, European preference measures and Ukraine.