Endure it alone or decide together ? European sovereignty as a New Doctrine at the Dawn of Major Transitions

On June 30, 2026, the Jacques Delors Institute and la Macif were pleased to host a conference devoted to a concept that has (once again) become central to the European debate: sovereignty. Long relegated to the background, this concept has now emerged as one of the key lenses through which to view the major transitions our continent is undergoing.

In the face of geopolitical, economic, energy-related, industrial, and digital upheavals, sovereignty can no longer be viewed as an issue confined exclusively to defense or ideology. It must permeate all of our public policies. It also raises questions about our collective ability to shape our own future rather than merely endure the upheavals the world is experiencing.

Introduced by Jean-Louis Grosse-Delasalle, President of la Macif, and moderated by Sylvie Matelly, Director of the Jacques Delors Institute, this event brought together Matthieu Auzanneau, an expert on energy issues; Aurore Lalucq, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs; and Jean-Philippe Dogneton, Chief Executive Officer of Macif. Together, they explored the many dimensions of sovereignty – from energy and digital challenges to economic and governance models – at a time when major transitions are redefining Europe’s choices.

As the discussion progressed, a conviction gradually emerged: sovereignty is not just another goal to be achieved. It must constitute a genuine shift in doctrine – a new way of thinking about European action, economic trade-offs, and Europe’s place in a world now shaped by the balance of power among major global powers.

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