EESC president Henry Malosse criticized all politicians across the European Union. «We
risk to reduce the elections just to one question: austerity or not
austerity?»
by Emanuele Bonini
«This electoral campaign is polarised around Marine Le Pen. Political debate should have more involvement around other topics, otherwise we risk to reduce the elections just to one question: austerity or not austerity?» On the eve of the 25th of May European elections Henry Malosse offers his point of view on the upcoming event. The president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) looks at these elections with concern. The European Union is at stake, but politics failed to communicate what Europe is. «There is the need to focus on right directions», he said asked by this blog.
Are you concerned about euroskeptic parties rise?
«Of course I am. We risk to have a European Parliament composed by around 20-25% of Euroskeptic of different nature. With this composition the legislative process could be much more problematic».
For the first time European political parties indicate their candidate to the presidency of the European Commission, but nobody explained that it doesn't mean candidates will be put at the head of the Commission in case of victory. In time of Euroskepticism is this something counter-productive?
«Of course. Of course it's not a good message for European citizens. The problem is in the interpretation of the rule. Parliament has its own, and so the Council. And visions are different»
And European institution aren't they responsible for that?
«Of course they are»
Do you believe the Ukrainian crisis will counterbalance this skepticism toward the EU bringing people to vote for Europe because of fear for Russia?
«In eastern countries yes, I do. But it's not obvious to understand where it will happen. I believe in Poland and in Baltic countries, but I don't believe Ukraine will have a big impact in the rest the EU member states»
Immigration is a very substantial issue in Europe, not only in this electoral campaign. Do you believe will be a vote against immigrations?
«I don't think so much»
I beg you pardon, but in the United Kingdom Tories would forbid Romanians and Bulgarians to come in because of work reason, in Belgium trade unions held a huge demonstration against workers arriving from eastern countries and ready to be paid less than Belgians. In Denmark and Sweden there are the same concerns. Are you sure voters are not going to vote against all that?
«Of course this social dumping doesn't work, and the European Union don't take care enough. In EESC we posed the problem, because if these workers pay social security in the country they work rather than in the country the come from is a problem».
In France UMP party asked for a European commissioner for Immigration. What do you think about?
«It's little demagogic. We already have a commissioner for Justice and a commissioner responsible for Internal affairs»
What new Commission should do?
«Today the main problem is lack of confidence in Europe. We need to to create a European identity»
After European elections an important vote will be that for Scottish independence referendum on September. Do you believe the 25th of May elections will be a test? In somehow next week vote result could affect Scottish referendum?
«I don't think so. Scotland is traditionally more European than England. On the contrary, this referendum will be a tool for nationalist party to say to the rest of the country "if in 2017 the United Kingdom will vote for leaving the EU we are going to enter"»
«This electoral campaign is polarised around Marine Le Pen. Political debate should have more involvement around other topics, otherwise we risk to reduce the elections just to one question: austerity or not austerity?» On the eve of the 25th of May European elections Henry Malosse offers his point of view on the upcoming event. The president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) looks at these elections with concern. The European Union is at stake, but politics failed to communicate what Europe is. «There is the need to focus on right directions», he said asked by this blog.
Are you concerned about euroskeptic parties rise?
«Of course I am. We risk to have a European Parliament composed by around 20-25% of Euroskeptic of different nature. With this composition the legislative process could be much more problematic».
For the first time European political parties indicate their candidate to the presidency of the European Commission, but nobody explained that it doesn't mean candidates will be put at the head of the Commission in case of victory. In time of Euroskepticism is this something counter-productive?
«Of course. Of course it's not a good message for European citizens. The problem is in the interpretation of the rule. Parliament has its own, and so the Council. And visions are different»
And European institution aren't they responsible for that?
«Of course they are»
Do you believe the Ukrainian crisis will counterbalance this skepticism toward the EU bringing people to vote for Europe because of fear for Russia?
«In eastern countries yes, I do. But it's not obvious to understand where it will happen. I believe in Poland and in Baltic countries, but I don't believe Ukraine will have a big impact in the rest the EU member states»
Immigration is a very substantial issue in Europe, not only in this electoral campaign. Do you believe will be a vote against immigrations?
«I don't think so much»
I beg you pardon, but in the United Kingdom Tories would forbid Romanians and Bulgarians to come in because of work reason, in Belgium trade unions held a huge demonstration against workers arriving from eastern countries and ready to be paid less than Belgians. In Denmark and Sweden there are the same concerns. Are you sure voters are not going to vote against all that?
«Of course this social dumping doesn't work, and the European Union don't take care enough. In EESC we posed the problem, because if these workers pay social security in the country they work rather than in the country the come from is a problem».
In France UMP party asked for a European commissioner for Immigration. What do you think about?
«It's little demagogic. We already have a commissioner for Justice and a commissioner responsible for Internal affairs»
What new Commission should do?
«Today the main problem is lack of confidence in Europe. We need to to create a European identity»
After European elections an important vote will be that for Scottish independence referendum on September. Do you believe the 25th of May elections will be a test? In somehow next week vote result could affect Scottish referendum?
«I don't think so. Scotland is traditionally more European than England. On the contrary, this referendum will be a tool for nationalist party to say to the rest of the country "if in 2017 the United Kingdom will vote for leaving the EU we are going to enter"»
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