'Definitely GAME OVER' Former Italian PM says Le Pen win will finish 'close to crisis' EU
A FORMER Italian prime minister has highlighted how European Union could easily break up if Marine Le Pen wins the French election.
Enrico Letta: The EU's destiny is in the hands of French voters
Enrico Letta claimed a Marine Le Pen victory in the French elections would spark the end for the Brussels bloc.
The 50-year-old former Italian prime minister said the EU had already survived dramatic changes such as Brexit and Donald Trump’s election win, but would not be able to cope with a Mrs Le Pen win.
Speaking to France 24, Mr Letta claimed the EU’s destiny was in the hands of French voters when they go to the polls again on May 7.
He said: “The European Union was close to its death in the year 2016.
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“We had Brexit first, then Trump. Two big challenges. The idea that the European Union and the idea of European integration is game over.
“This is why today is decisive, because with Le Pen, it will be game over, definitely game over for Europe.”
Mr Letta claimed it would be “impossible” for Mrs Le Pen to win the election and reform the European Union instead of instantly striving for 'Frexit'.
He added: “The European Union is close to a crisis.
“To avoid this crisis it is an absolute necessity it is needed to have a strong pro-European, a strong European push, from I think France and Germany.
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It is impossible to go ahead with business as usual
“If we do not have this boost from France and Germany, I think the European Union will collapse.”
The former prime minister said any form of Mrs Le Pen victory would be critical for the EU.
“It is impossible to go ahead with business as usual,” he said.
“This is why, even if Marine Le Pen changes the tone, the subject, saying that ‘we just want to discuss our future, maybe a referendum’, that will be decisive for the worst for the European Union.
“Today it an absolute necessity for a pro-European initiative from France and Europe, without this initiative I think the ‘business as usual’ will be the death of the European Union.”
Emmanuel Macron’s currently leads Mrs Le Pen in the polls, however the centrist has also called for the European Union to reform.
The former Italian prime minister reiterated that the European bloc needed change.
Mr Letta finished: “The European Union needs to have a very ambitious agenda, it’s why I think it’s good for Europe to hear these ideas from the French elections.”
