Macron Says the World Mustn’t Be ‘Lazy’ in Reforming Global Institutions

(Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron doubled-down on his sharp criticism of NATO Tuesday, saying world powers must not be “lazy” in efforts to overhaul global institutions.

Macron told leaders at a conference in Paris there is an “unprecedented crisis” of the international social and economic order due to inequality, unilateralism, migration, climate change and doubts about democracy. International institutions like NATO need to change to confront those issues, Macron said.

“I’ve perhaps offended a few people here in recent days or weeks. I think we need truth: Prudishness and hypocrisy doesn’t work these days,” Macron said. “Laziness -- intellectually or in action -- is not a solution.”

The French president’s claim last week that NATO is suffering “brain death” met with a push-back from other world leaders, particularly German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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