Moderated by Nicolas Guilhot, Professor of Intellectual History at the EUI’s Department of History, the discussion focused on Europe’s crisis of sovereignty and the challenges facing the European Union. On the question of the EU’s survival, de Villepin offered a strong assessment, describing Europe as “a ghost.”
Addressing the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, de Villepin warned against moral hypocrisy and the inability of Western leaders to understand how global conflicts are perceived beyond Europe. He stressed the responsibility of diplomats, thinkers, and students to develop the capacity to see the world “through the eyes of those who live in the fire,” noting the unequal language used to describe violence in different contexts.
The discussion also highlighted the need for renewed political courage. De Villepin called for the creation of a European Security Council, a greater willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, and a stronger role for culture and universities in rebuilding collective awareness and democratic responsibility.
These themes echo his most recent book, Le Pouvoir de dire non, which calls for a political and cultural awakening in France and beyond. The essay urges citizens to reject illusions and partisan reflexes, and to reclaim dignity and purpose in both domestic and global affairs.
Dominique de Villepin played a prominent role in shaping France’s European policy in the late 1990s and 2000s, serving as Minister of European Affairs, Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister. He is internationally known for his 2003 speech at the United Nations opposing the Iraq War. In recent years, he has re-entered public debate from outside government, advocating for sovereignty, republican values, and renewed European leadership in a turbulent global context.