The embattled French president and the German chancellor both favour a tight-knit military alliance on the continent which they believe would send a powerful message to the world – that Europe is united against a war on home soil. Mr Macron, who has emerged as the most outspoken critic of NATO, has said European countries can no longer look to the US to protect them. During an address to the European parliament last week, Mrs Merkel drew on comment made by Jean-Claude Juncker who said “a common European army would show the world that there would never again be war in Europe”.
But Mrs Merkel stressed her vision is not for “an army against NATO” but rather “a good complement to NATO”.
And Germany’s defence minister used an interview published last weekend to reject Mr Macron’s desire to replace NATO, saying Berlin wanted instead to strengthen the military alliance.
Annegret Kramp-Kartenbauer told Welt: “When France talks about more European cooperation in defence, they’re talking about strategic autonomy.
“The French are seeking strong European cooperation to replace NATO.”
Earlier this month the French president said: “What were are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO.”
According to Politico, many fellow leaders share Mr Macron’s criticism of NATO behind closed doors and believe he was “correct in his complaints”.
In his call for an European army, Mr Macron said he wanted to establish a “real security dialogue” with Russia’s President Putin.
The UK is against the idea of a European army as it could represent a parallel structure to NATO.
READ MORE: EU army threat: New chief Von der Leyen wants bloc to ‘flex muscles’
