EU can now move forward with China

Sunday's convincing win for Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential elections provides the European Union with an opportunity to shake off its populist blues and move forward with a new unity of purpose. The Macron win was important because he was by far the most pro-EU candidate, arguing what France needed was more European integration, not less. It is no surprise that his victory was especially welcomed in Brussels.

The relaunch of the European project will not be possible before the German elections in September. But it matters little whether Angela Merkel or Martin Schulz is elected as both are solid pro-European centrist politicians. In the intervening five months you can expect a flurry of activity between Berlin, Brussels and Paris as politicians and officials work out how best to relaunch the EU that has been floating aimlessly for the past couple of years.

The reasons for the EU's malaise were the triple shock of the Greek financial crisis, the rise of populism and Brexit. But the Greek crisis has been contained, and the government in Athens has been granted further loans by the International Monetary Fund and the EU. The fact that the European economy is showing signs of renewed growth has helped open the coffers.