Macron's reelection and the future of France

Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden, shares his perspective from New Delhi, India.

What's the number one challenge for President Macron now, when he's been reelected?

First, of course, he has been reelected. That's highly important. He's the first French president to be reelected for a second term in 20 years. That's quite an achievement. But he now needs to secure some sort of parliamentary majority, and that election is coming up in a couple of weeks. That's going to be critical for all of his domestic reform agenda, which remains critical for the future of France.

Is Europe seeking a deeper engagement with India in this particular situation?

Well, the question is distinctly yes. Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission was here yesterday, delivered a very powerful speech, including on Ukraine, and then decided to set up a trade and technology council between the EU and India. There is such a council with the United States, but the fact that the second such is set up with India is a sign in itself. We need to engage closer with the world's largest democracy. We need to engage closer within the Pacific, and what's been happening here in Delhi in the last few days is the sure sign of that.