French President Emmanuel Macron, center, shakes hands with local residents after visiting a branch of French charitable organization 'Les Restos du Coeur' (Restaurants of the Heart) in Paris, France, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. The Restos du Coeur are launching their winter campaign for food distribution to those in need, with demand rising every year. (Ian Langsdon/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron looks like the last, best hope to salvage a unified Europe, as Britain drifts away and Germany bogs down.
The role of knight in shining armor is one Macron relishes, whether he's standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump on climate change, mediating in Mideast crises or crusading to make Paris the world's newest financial capital.
Yet pitfalls await.
The inexperienced 39-year-old must surmount many hurdles to transform France into the kind of superpower economy that could drive the rest of Europe toward prosperity.
And instead of leaving Macron alone in the spotlight as Europe's superstar, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's troubles in forming a coalition at home may in fact drag Macron down with her.
FILE - In this July 13, 2017 file photo German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a joint press conference after a French-German cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Germany has viewed itself as Europeâs anchor of stability for a dozen years under Chancellor Angela Merkel, but the collapse of her talks to form a new government now means months of political uncertainty. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, file)
The Associated Press
French President Emmanuel Macron visits a branch of French charitable organization 'Les Restos du Coeur' (Restaurants of the Heart) in Paris, France, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. The Restos du Coeur are launching their winter campaign for food distribution to those in need, with demand rising every year. (Ian Langsdon/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press