Post photo: Eiffel Tower | © Pixabay
The first round of the French presidential elections has taken place. Macron has a not very big but still reassuring lead over Le Pen, he'll probably be re-elected, all right?
I believe - even if the forecast for the decisive second round of voting is probably correct - we should see the election results in France above all as a warning. At least half of the French have elected candidates who, for a variety of reasons, are skeptical if not hostile to Europe. Some voted this way out of a nationalistic attitude, due to xenophobia, etc., others because they perhaps dream of democratic socialism in a country, whereby a united Europe would only be a hindrance. Still others may have had the thought that Brussels is to blame for everything that goes wrong in their own country.
Some might think: Well, the French. But here in Germany it looks completely different. This is partly true, but be careful! Looking back, we also have to realize that such forces have become stronger in the last 10 - 12 years and who knows what will happen in the face of worsening economic developments.
We should not assume that the idea of a democratic Europe that is growing ever closer together is a sure-fire success. A lot of persuasion work will be necessary and a fight against old prejudices on the one hand and national egoism on the other. And Europe must become closer to the citizen and more transparent for everyone. Not an easy task, but worth it.
Live the Europe!
I was born in 1949 and can look back on an eventful life. I graduated from high school and then completed commercial training. He then studied philosophy and history, graduating with an MA in 1975 (it was still called Magister Artium at the time). Later returned to the commercial area, worked in the finance sector, most recently as head of the finance department of a medium-sized listed company. Left unemployed due to serious differences over business policy. Towards the end of my professional career, I worked as a taxi driver for 8 years. Retired since 2014 who occasionally writes books.
Addition by Heinrich Kümmerle:
Lothar Birkners weblog I've subscribed to it and added it to my blogroll. His contributions there are very thought-provoking. And again and again I'm tempted to buy one of his books - but admittedly it hasn't worked out until today.
So now I am very happy that I Lothar Birkner could win as a guest blogger. I'm sure that if you haven't already, you'll be checking out his weblog in the future.
