Saarland’s Minister-President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) has proposed the idea of a European Union for renewable energies and hydrogen. She believes that this could breathe new life into the European idea and connect it to the Montanunion of the 1950s. Rehlinger argues that Europe needs economic and energy resilience and independence, which the French President Emmanuel Macron refers to as European sovereignty. This independence is not only important in foreign and defense policy, but also in industry and raw materials.
Rehlinger warns that Europe is once again facing major political and economic challenges. It is important to remember the roots of the European idea, but it is also necessary to jointly think and shape Europe. In the border region, one can experience the potential of joint infrastructure, cross-border health care and mobility solutions, as well as scientific cooperation. Such shared experiences strengthen every good friendship, according to Rehlinger.