Paris Emmanuel Macron looks expectantly into the royal court of Versailles. Behind him rises the magnificent facade of the baroque palace, where the French kings once resided. Every few minutes, limousines roll through the golden portal onto the square, from which the top politicians of the European Union climb. For each guest, the Republican Guard Music Corps plays a brass fanfare.

Macron shakes hands, hugs, kisses. The President of the Republic holds court. Before Macron disappears behind the castle walls, he stops in front of the cameras and warns: “Europe must change.” It is the time for “historical decisions” and a “greater independence of our Europe”.