It was a quiet contest played out in headlines, handshakes and high-level huddles. The prize? The unofficial crown of Europe’s kingmaker. And while both contenders brought their own brand of gravitas to the ring, it’s Emmanuel Macron who has, for now, emerged with the crown tilted triumphantly on his head.
Keir Starmer, Britain’s Prime Minister, approach is principled, pragmatic and deeply serious – a refreshing change from the pantomime politics of recent years. But in the game of global perception, substance often needs a spark. A defining image. A signature moment.
Macron understands this game better than anyone. He understands the set piece. A message to the world: I am Europe’s point man now.
That isn’t to say Starmer lost – he just didn’t play the same way. While he’s been busy rebuilding Britain’s domestic reputation and foreign alliances with quiet diligence, Macron seized the stage with the flair of a performer who knows exactly where the cameras are.
This isn’t about ego – it’s about influence. And Macron, always the strategist, has placed himself exactly where the world’s eyes are focused.
Starmer’s strength lies in the long game, and as Europe navigates war, division and disruption, the Macron moment may prove fleeting unless it delivers real results.
For now though, Macron has the momentum. In the great European theatre, he’s the man with the spotlight. Starmer may yet write the script – but Macron, unmistakably, is playing the lead.
