Former French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has argued that a focused coalition of six core European nations, rather than the full 27-member bloc, is the most effective way to reinforce Europe’s global standing. Speaking with Euronews on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian, France, Le Maire emphasized the need for agility and unity in the face of increasing international pressure.
His proposal comes amid a period where the European Union’s global influence has been challenged, particularly by the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. Le Maire asserted that for Europe to remain relevant and powerful, it must find a more efficient way to unify.
“The single lesson that all the European leaders must draw from the past months, and I would say from the last two years, is that if they want to be relevant and strong, they need to be united. And they don’t need to unite with 27 member states,” he explained, suggesting a new impetus be given to the European project through a core group of six nations.
Le Maire identified the EU’s six largest economies—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands—as the ideal group to lead discussions on critical issues. These include the conflict in Iran, military support for Ukraine, the development of domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and the future of nuclear energy.
“Six countries instead of 27 countries is the best way of reinforcing Europe, of facing the threats posed by many empires around the world, and getting some concrete results,” he stated.
Addressing external pressures, Le Maire specifically pointed to the U.S. administration’s use of retaliatory tariffs and regulatory countermeasures as a response to Brussels’ antitrust fines and digital regulations targeting American tech giants such as Google and Amazon.
“We can no longer accept being blackmailed,” Le Maire said. “The way President Trump and the US administration are saying, ‘You should get rid of the taxation of Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft, otherwise, I will hit you with new tariffs,’ is 100% unacceptable among allies.” He argued that if the six strongest member states stand united, they can resist such pressure by reminding the U.S. that access to the European market depends on mutual respect.
Prioritizing Decision-Making Over Dialogue
When questioned on the practical implementation of this system, Le Maire noted that seeking consensus among 27 different nations often results in “long talks and very few decisions.” He argued that the current geopolitical climate demands “strong decisions and fewer talks.”
Under his envisioned structure, the core six would drive progress on key matters, allowing the remaining 21 member states to join the initiatives as they see fit. “First of all, let’s move on,” he added.
This concept of a “two-speed Europe” is not entirely new. Earlier this year, the finance ministers of Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain launched the “E6” coalition. This group aims to accelerate progress in four strategic pillars: defense, supply chain security, the Savings and Investments Union, and the international strengthening of the euro.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil previously stated that the group provides the necessary momentum for others to follow, a view endorsed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as a means to bolster the regional economy.
In May, the E6 signed a joint letter pushing for the acceleration of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) to bypass political stagnation in Brussels. The CMU seeks to integrate capital markets across all 27 member states to better serve investors and companies. However, the move faced criticism from some quarters, including Cypriot Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, who warned that such groupings could undermine the perception of bloc unity.
The proposal echoes the original composition of the European Economic Community (EEC), established in 1957 by six founding members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
This push for inward integration is viewed as a pragmatic response to the EU’s current expansion efforts. Leaders in France and Germany have argued that expanding the union to 30 or more members would make the requirement for unanimity—essential for sensitive issues regarding national sovereignty, finance, and defense—nearly impossible to achieve.
