Yes, she will.
Okay, President Macron doesn't come here just to enjoy the weather (which is pretty miserable BTW!)
This is of course about politics, which is why QMII dodged such questions at the press meeting at Cayx.
Without offending anyone I think it's safe to say that France and Germany are the two most important countries in EU, so of course Denmark wish to be on good terms with France, as far as the EU-skepticism among the Danes allow. And even further...
President Macron is by many seen as the potential new leader of EU, should Chancellor Merkel fall or become politically sidelined. At least in the interim period until a new strong German pro-EU political leader emerges.
So politically he is worth cultivating.
Okay, there are basically three political issues on the agenda:
How to change the direction or slow down EU, in order to make it more palatable to the population, in this case the Danish voters. With focus on how to curb immigration as a special wish.President Macron wants even more EU, which is not something that is welcomed in many smaller countries.
In contrast President Macron has started a thorough reformation of the French labor-market with the aim of making it much more flexible while still maintaining what is basically a kind social-democrat welfare state. I.e. turning France into a capitalist welfare society, rather than a welfare society supported by subsidizing the companies and especially the agriculture. That's something Denmark went through years ago, and it was not a pleasant experience mind you! But overall from a socioeconomic perspective it works well, by and large. So President Macron wish to see what experiences and what reforms can be perhaps be adopted and adapted to France, - and what mistakes can be avoided.
The last issue is equally interesting. President Macron stated very recently that Europe (especially EU) "can no longer rely on NATO for security." That is in line with French security policy within the 15 years or so, which has become even more aggressive so to speak. Especially directed against Islamist insurgency in the Middle East, but not least Africa. A place Denmark is also currently involved militarily. (In four or five countries at present.)
As such France has requested and been granted a Danish frigate to be basically on permanent attachment to a French carrier group in the Mediterranean, from where it can quickly be deployed to the Middle East or the Indian Ocean. Again, the main purpose is to use bombs or missiles but also special forces against in particular Islamists. The Danish frigate, being hyper modern, is an anti-aircraft frigate, but it is also equipped with cruise missiles. - From a country that for the past 25 years has been very willing to pull the trigger.
Big deal, you may say, a routine military disposition. - No, it isn't.
This means that the Danish Parliament has quietly decided to put a part of our military under French command (not EU command, DK cannot take part in an EU military force, and thank heavens for that!) not a NATO command!
I other words DK and the other countries supplying ships to this carrier group are joining alternatives to NATO. - With all that implies...
Live coverage info.
Billed Bladet will send live from the first event at Kastellet tomorrow from 11.20. Here M&F will receive them. - I or someone else will post a link when we get closer.
And for those who are into bling-bling and big gowns, BB will also send live from the arrival of the guests, The French first couple and the DRF. From 19.20.
DR1 will also send live from 18.50. (Their coverage is even better, but I'm not sure it can be viewed outside DK - So I urge some of you to mail DR1 and ask. That worked during PH's funeral coverage.)
