In 2017, France’s new president went to Paris's Sorbonne University to defend Europe’s strategic autonomy. Since then, there's been Covid and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Now, ahead of June's EU elections, Emmanuel Macron was back with an update. 

"Everything that is strategic in our world, we have delegated. Our energy, to Russia; Our security – for several of our partners; not France, but several others – to the United States. And other critical interests, also, to China. We must take them back. This is what strategic autonomy is about," he declared.

So how has Europe met those challenges so far? What to make of Macron's call for an acceleration of a common defence and industrial policy and his claim that energy transition is compatible with growth and the polls? After all, this was a campaign speech, what with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally ahead with nearly one-third of voter intentions, double those of Macron’s centrists.

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown.