Getting its groove back

By Shada Islam | China Daily Global | Updated: 2019-05-20 09:00

EU leaders, politicians and policymakers must rediscover their lost passion for Europe

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker is wrong: Europeans don't need a "protective Europe", they need a passionate one.

Elections to the European Parliament used to be yawn-inducing. Leadership changes at EU institutions didn't really matter and while discussions on the future of Europe were numerous, they didn't get pulses racing.

This time it's different.

Brexit, Donald Trump and Eurosceptics were supposed to destroy the European Union; instead, they have energized it.

Yes, there's much to fret about: the world is in bad shape, populist forces are on the rise in Europe and everyone is vulnerable to manipulation by fake news and toxic disinformation campaigns.

But there's also an explosion of stimulating, contrasting, different visions, initiatives and ideas - some sober, some crazy - for recreating and reviving Europe.

Big and small "town hall" gatherings, noisy national and pan-European pro-EU civic movements and passionate one-man and/or onewoman shows are all demanding a better and more relevant Europe.

Campaigning by the Spitzenkanditats and their recent televised debates have added substance and a sense of fun to the EU landscape as have new and emerging political alliances (and rivalries) such as the one between the ALDE group in the European Parliament and candidates on French President Emmanuel Macron's "Renaissance" list.

It's time to learn from the people. And that means from young Europeans and from women and ethnic minorities. Just listening to the older generation of Europeans is no longer enough.

A recent Eurobarometer opinion poll showed that for more than two-thirds of young Europeans (67 percent), priority number one for EU action over the next 10 years is protecting the environment and fighting climate change.

The second and third priorities they identified are improving education and training, including free movement of students, apprentices or pupils (56 percent) and fighting poverty, economic and social inequalities (56 percent).

EU leaders and others must catch up with the changed and changing public mood and become just as noisy, loud and passionate about Europe.

For too long, the EU summits have focused on technical details and the small print of the European enterprise. Building the EU is a painstakingly slow, difficult and technical exercise. And Brexit has taken up too much time and energy.

Now is the moment for a change in pace and content. Here are some easy ways in which EU leaders can help to get more voters out to cast their ballot on election day.

In the days leading up to the Parliament elections, EU leaders must send a strong collective message of hope. Europeans are tired of so much tedious and repetitive downbeat talk on Europe. Leaders should talk about a new EU work program but make it a fun and forward-looking exercise. They should steer clear of painful details, the nuts and bolts of European policy-making. The technical back story of Europe's construction, divisions in the house and endless bickering over national priorities can come later. For the moment, the focus should be on the bigger picture. And really, if you use that wider lens, Europe doesn't look that bad.

Second, EU leaders should try and build a more interesting, inclusive and positive European narrative. They should stop moaning about the far right and their expanding influence. That just gives them additional visibility and the publicity they crave. Also, they should not allow the racists and illiberal to put Europe on the defensive. Instead, they must build a heroic European story which negates the populists' erratic, hate-filled rhetoric. Yes, Europe needs migrants and yes, their arrival and inclusion into mainstream Europe must be carefully managed. European Muslims and Jews are just that: European. And if Viktor Orban and his friends protest, other Europeans should engage in some vigorous pushback.

Third, stop talking about building a "protective Europe". Protection from what, exactly. Migrants? Terrorists? the United States, Russia, China? Technology? Fear makes people stay home, not go out and vote. How about, talking instead about building a Europe that empowers. An EU that is self-confident enough - and technologically savvy enough - to navigate a changing, more unpredictable world and is not afraid of standing up for its interests and values - in the face of resistance and opposition from friends and rivals.

Fourth, bet on women and young people. Just like the Democrats did very successfully in the US last year and Spanish Socialists managed just a few days ago, try and make a real connection with women and young people who are vividly interested in and passionate about Europe. This means making sure that issues such as climate change, the economy, gender equality, social justice, education and health are given top billing.

Finally, embrace change and accept and adjust to the emerging new world order. Some in the US and Europe may enjoy talking down the EU but many across the world are working hard to engage with the world's largest market and trading bloc. For the last seventy years, Europe has looked westward to the US for strength and support. It must now widen its gaze to include new global economic giants even while working on its own strategic autonomy, economic and political.

Juncker is wrong about Europeans losing their libido and "not loving each other anymore". There's plenty of love and affection among Europeans. There's plenty of public enthusiasm about Europe. It's EU leaders, politicians and policymakers who must rediscover their lost passion for Europe.

The author is the director for Europe and geopolitics at Friends of Europe, a think tank in Brussels. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.