Emmanuel Macron called on Europeans to “find the means” to reach a “broad consensus”.
Correspondent in Brussels
Will they be able to make the necessary compromises to relieve European households and businesses which have seen their bills soar? The Twenty-Seven have been meeting since Thursday afternoon in Brussels for a summit dominated by the energy crisis. In the evening, some were already talking about the convening of an extraordinary meeting for November.
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Shortly before the start of the meeting, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, admitted that finding an agreement “will probably be difficult». «But it’s important to send a strong signal today or tomorrow“, he underlined. Same impatience on the part of the Belgian Alexander De Croo: “If we want to show that we are capable of acting, now is the time to do it.».
Act directly on the price
In view of the differences in positions on the proposals presented by the Commission on Tuesday, breaking the impasse during this meeting would be a feat, even if timid advances that the Europeans will be keen to promote are not excluded.
In the evening, the Italian Mario Draghi, who was participating in his last summit, spoke harshly to his counterparts and summed up the situation thus: “Now we are in a recession. And with the breakdown of EU unity, Putin wins». «Better recognize that we’re divided“rather than continuing”to pretend“, he added.
Read alsoEuropeans in search of unity on energy
The measures intended to act directly on the price – pending the launch in March 2023 of a new benchmark complementary to the current TTF – are at the heart of the discussions. According to one of the latest draft conclusions, it is a question of “move the work forward” on a “temporary dynamic price corridor on natural gas transactionsand on a cap on the price of gas used to produce electricity.
“Overcoming protectionist tendencies”
Fifteen Member States are in favor of the principle of a gas price cap and are calling for immediate measures. But Germany, Denmark, Latvia and Hungary still oppose it.
«The Commission’s price cap proposal is like going into a bar and telling the bartender that you want to pay half the price of your beer. It will not arrive. Customers cannot reduce energy prices. Only diversification and competition can“, tweeted at the start of the evening Viktor Orban.
Read alsoGermany wields 200 billion shield to cap energy prices
Berlin, which has worsened its case in Europe by launching a major support plan of 200 billion euros, remains camped in a position described as “radicalby some. “We must find a way to overcome…almost protectionist tendencies “Warned the Latvian Prime Minister, Arturs Krisjanis Karins.
Other Member States (Estonia, the Netherlands and Bulgaria) are less closed, but are asking for an assessment of the risks and consequences of capping gas prices. The challenge for Europeans is tolower gas prices so that gas continues to flowsummed up Dutchman Mark Rutte.
Part of the purchases must be grouped
In order to avoid any runaway of the market next spring when the EU tank filling campaign begins, the Commission has proposed that part of the purchases – ie 15% of the filling objectives – must be done in a grouped way.
Similarly, it is a question of introducing compulsory solidarity between the Member States in the event of a risk of shortage for one of them. But there again, the Europeans were not aligned before the summit. Some, notably Draghi and De Croo, have further argued that solidarity cannot be variable geometry, namely on supplies, but not on price caps or on supporting households and businesses with new joint borrowing. . Emmanuel Macron however arrived at the top by ensuring that the Twenty-Seven “would find a way” To arrive at “un large consensus».
A special atmosphere
Beyond the disagreements, this meeting is taking place in a particular atmosphere, while the pulling force of the EU – Germany, France, Italy – seems to be stalling. The Italian Mario Draghi will soon give way to the leader of the extreme right, Giorgia Meloni.
Read alsoFrance and Germany show their disagreements by canceling their council
The announcement on Wednesday of the cancellation of the Franco-German Council scheduled for next week in Fontainebleau does not make things any easier either. On Thursday, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz spoke to each other before the start of the summit. For half an hour and without witnesses. They agreed to meet on Wednesday in Paris. Objective: “Restructure the Franco-German agenda“, according to an EU source. While pointing to Germany’s growing isolation in Europe, the president said he wanted “preserve European unity and also the friendship and alliance between France and Germany».
To those who denounce a selfish Germany that cares little for the difficulties of its partners, Olaf Scholz recalled that his country finances 26% of the European budget. A way of indicating that Germany is taking its share.
SEE ALSO – Energy prices: Germany fears that a cap will encourage consumption