MR confirms Charles Michel will head European list

Francophone liberal party MR has confirmed that the president of the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, will head the party's European list in the elections on 9 June. Speaking at the party's New Year's reception, Michel said there was a need for "a Europe that respects people and is respected".

"What normal party with Charles Michel in its ranks would not want to see him on its list," leader Georges-Louis Bouchez said at the opening of his party's national congress in Louvain-la-Neuve.

"Ukraine's freedom is Europe's freedom, our freedom"

Michel, who announced on Saturday that he would stand for election, listed a number of key challenges for the EU that he wants to address: making a success of the climate and digital transition, ensuring Europe's sovereignty and energy independence, and security and peace. "Ukraine's freedom is Europe's freedom, our freedom," he said.

^{European Council president Charles Michel and MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez at the national New Year congress of French-speaking liberal party MR, 7 January 2024, in Louvain-la-Neuve © ​ BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}

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