Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer travelled to Luxembourg on Wednesday for a meeting with Prime Minister Luc Frieden, focusing on the need to strengthen pro-European alliances in the context of rising geopolitical tensions.
During her visit, the French MEP also met with her party colleague, Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Charel Goerens, as well as members of the press.
Hayer warned that current geopolitical challenges demand a clear stance on European unity and the nature of political alliances. She argued that both far-right and far-left extremists are serving the interests of leaders like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, whom she accused of systematically undermining Europe. Hayer also took aim at European People’s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber for not explicitly ruling out cooperation with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.
Her remarks underscore a firm rejection within liberal ranks of any compromise with right-wing extremists. Goerens echoed her position, though his voting record does not always align with that of his Renew colleagues. He recently voted against the dilution of the EU’s supply chain directive. However, the Luxembourg MEP stressed the importance of seeking compromises with pro-European forces such as the EPP, the Social Democrats, and the Greens – while drawing a clear line at Eurosceptic groups.
For Hayer, only genuinely pro-European political parties can be trusted to deliver on promises related to employment, competitiveness, and the protection of European freedoms.
The far right, Hayer argued, is attempting to gain ground on the issue of migration and resistance to it. She pointed to support from figures such as Putin and tech billionaire Elon Musk, and noted that the recent White House strategy paper suggests backing from the current US administration as well. While she acknowledged the need for a migration debate, Hayer stressed that the EU had already adopted stricter measures against illegal migration before the last European election, and that a new directive on returns is currently in development.
At the same time, the French liberal politician emphasised that welcoming refugees brings honour to Europe and to countries like Luxembourg. She described legal migration as both positive and necessary, citing an ageing population and labour market needs as key factors.
On the topic of social media’s influence and the rising support for far-right parties such as Germany’s AfD and France’s Rassemblement National among young voters, both politicians called for stronger EU oversight of digital platforms and their algorithms. They suggested that regulation could follow models similar to those in the United States, avoiding the censorship practices seen in Russia or China. They pointed to the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a potential instrument to achieve this.
Turning to French national politics, Hayer expressed greater optimism than her Luxembourg counterpart regarding the 2027 presidential election. She suggested it may be possible to avoid a second-round run-off between the likely far-right candidate Jordan Bardella and leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon. To do so, however, she stressed the need for a strong centrist candidate, as incumbent President Emmanuel Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. Among the names circulating as potential contenders are Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Thierry Breton.
Hayer noted that, much like at the European level, a centrist coalition spanning from the social-democratic to the conservative spectrum could emerge in France.
Goerens, however, struck a more cautious note, warning against political fragmentation. He invoked a 1962 remark by Charles de Gaulle, who predicted that after his departure, France would face not a “political vacuum” but an “overflow”.
Goerens also voiced frustration over institutional stagnation within the EU, lamenting that little progress had been made since the 2005 constitutional crisis and the subsequent Lisbon Treaty. He warned that further enlargement would only compound the difficulty of decision-making. The DP MEP reiterated his long-standing call to abolish national veto rights, both in foreign policy and in tax matters. Hayer expressed agreement with the principle, though she noted the topic had not come up in her discussions with Prime Minister Frieden.
On the subject of the proposed European savings and capital markets union – a file over which France and Luxembourg have clashed regarding supervision – Hayer showed a degree of flexibility. Her remarks echoed signals sent by Macron during a recent EU summit. France has wanted to gain supervisory control for years, while Luxembourg has pushed to preserve national competences in the sector.
During the lunch conversation with journalists, two persistent policy shortcomings also emerged as points of discussion. The first was the inadequate train connection between Brussels and Luxembourg City. The second was housing – repeatedly cited as a major concern for both the public and the economy.
