Jean Asselborn: EU may reassess after elections

The longest-standing foreign affairs minister in Europe has hit out at the prospect of hard-right politician Marine le Pen gaining power in France, insisting “we don’t need” her in a Europe she wants to “destroy”.

Luxembourg’s foreign and European affairs minister Jean Asselborn, who has been in office since 2000, made the remark as he said the EU may need to reassess where it is “at the end of autumn” when the outcome of French, German, Dutch, and Czech elections are known.

Speaking to reporters at Dublin Castle after a bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, Mr Asselborn said the French election on April 23 will be “crucial” for the direction the rest of the EU takes.