Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White against the Italian prime minister. «He has to remember he's a premier. Let him learn from Juncker»
English version of the my interview published on QN - Quotidiano Nazionale
Stimulating the political debate in Europe is not a problem. Of course, when you know how to do. On the contrary, Matteo Renzi «still tends to act like a local politician» rather than a head of government. This is Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White's criticism over the Italian prime minister. The secretary general of the European Popular Party (EPP) came to his conclusions after the struggle between Italy and the European Commission: the Italian leader should attend politics lessons from the same person so criticized in Rome, the president of the European Commission. «President Juncker is a seasoned politician who was Prime Minister of his Country for 20 years, I think Mr Renzi might learn from him the noble art of patience and statesmanship».
Manfred Weber, the president of the EPP group at the European Parliament, stated Renzi is putting at stake the credibility of the EU. Where Renzi is wrong?
«The Prime Minister should not underestimate the fact that he is the Prime Minister of one of the most prominent European Countries and not the Mayor of a city: there is a substantial difference Mr Renzi has to understand yet as he still tends to act like a local politician».
From the S&D group it has been said Italy has the right to stimulate the debate. So, what is the matter? Renzi is doing in the wrong way?
«There is nothing wrong in raising debates but one should keep in mind that a debate is a means of understanding rather than the objective per se, there are certain limits that need to apply in order for the debate to be part of a solution: a debate is not to be raised through a press conference, it is instead to be raised in the institutions, with different counterparts. Maybe Prime Minister Renzi chooses not to do so in the Council as not all of his colleagues (including Socialists) appreciate what he says and that is why he instead opts for provocative declarations once outside of the Council meetings. The game for Italy is inside the European Council, as a leader, not outside in front of cameras».
Apparently one problem is the lack of interlocutors. The decision of replacing Stefano Sannino can solve the problem or, on the contrary, can make the situation more difficult?
«What I find worrying is the decision of exchanging a diplomat with a politician, when governments start to prescind from its diplomatic representatives there usually is a problem within the government itself and not outside. Echoes from past discussions within PD about this figure in Brussels seem to confirm that».
Flexibility is there, hotspot not yet. Is Juncker right in saying there is no reason to criticize and to recall the country to its duties?
«It is important to underline the critic moment for Europe and its neighbours, a humanitarian emergency has been going on every day for past months, fears and tensions are increasing in our society. This is the moment where we stand together and try together to be each one of help to the other. It is a complex situation which compromise and unity can easily overcome. We are all responsible: at the national and EU level. At any rate already yesterday some declarations were made which show willingness to go ahead despite the tension which affects us all».
From your point of view, High representative Mogherini is a problem for Italy? And for the EU?
«Quite the opposite. Mogherini could be part of the solution, Renzi should overcome his personal animosities and capitalize her work for the benefit of Italy and its relations with the European institutions, Mogherini’s work and commitment are quite appreciated here in Brussels and this could be only advantageous for Italy».
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| Antonio Lopez (elPais) |
Stimulating the political debate in Europe is not a problem. Of course, when you know how to do. On the contrary, Matteo Renzi «still tends to act like a local politician» rather than a head of government. This is Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White's criticism over the Italian prime minister. The secretary general of the European Popular Party (EPP) came to his conclusions after the struggle between Italy and the European Commission: the Italian leader should attend politics lessons from the same person so criticized in Rome, the president of the European Commission. «President Juncker is a seasoned politician who was Prime Minister of his Country for 20 years, I think Mr Renzi might learn from him the noble art of patience and statesmanship».
Manfred Weber, the president of the EPP group at the European Parliament, stated Renzi is putting at stake the credibility of the EU. Where Renzi is wrong?
«The Prime Minister should not underestimate the fact that he is the Prime Minister of one of the most prominent European Countries and not the Mayor of a city: there is a substantial difference Mr Renzi has to understand yet as he still tends to act like a local politician».
From the S&D group it has been said Italy has the right to stimulate the debate. So, what is the matter? Renzi is doing in the wrong way?
«There is nothing wrong in raising debates but one should keep in mind that a debate is a means of understanding rather than the objective per se, there are certain limits that need to apply in order for the debate to be part of a solution: a debate is not to be raised through a press conference, it is instead to be raised in the institutions, with different counterparts. Maybe Prime Minister Renzi chooses not to do so in the Council as not all of his colleagues (including Socialists) appreciate what he says and that is why he instead opts for provocative declarations once outside of the Council meetings. The game for Italy is inside the European Council, as a leader, not outside in front of cameras».
Apparently one problem is the lack of interlocutors. The decision of replacing Stefano Sannino can solve the problem or, on the contrary, can make the situation more difficult?
«What I find worrying is the decision of exchanging a diplomat with a politician, when governments start to prescind from its diplomatic representatives there usually is a problem within the government itself and not outside. Echoes from past discussions within PD about this figure in Brussels seem to confirm that».
Flexibility is there, hotspot not yet. Is Juncker right in saying there is no reason to criticize and to recall the country to its duties?
«It is important to underline the critic moment for Europe and its neighbours, a humanitarian emergency has been going on every day for past months, fears and tensions are increasing in our society. This is the moment where we stand together and try together to be each one of help to the other. It is a complex situation which compromise and unity can easily overcome. We are all responsible: at the national and EU level. At any rate already yesterday some declarations were made which show willingness to go ahead despite the tension which affects us all».
From your point of view, High representative Mogherini is a problem for Italy? And for the EU?
«Quite the opposite. Mogherini could be part of the solution, Renzi should overcome his personal animosities and capitalize her work for the benefit of Italy and its relations with the European institutions, Mogherini’s work and commitment are quite appreciated here in Brussels and this could be only advantageous for Italy».
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