Post photo: Ursula von der Leyen | © European Union, 2021 | Photographer: Etienne Ansotte
This post first appeared on the Website of the Europa-Union Germany (14.9.2023)
The President of the European Commission says a lot of the right things in her eagerly awaited State of the Union speech, but remains silent on central questions of further European development. In particular, the few statements they make about the European Union's future ability to act are not enough. The non-partisan European Union of Germany expressly supports the draft report on treaty reform presented today in the AFCO Committee of the European Parliament.
Equal rights, artificial intelligence and agriculture take up a lot of space Ursula von der Leyens speech. These are certainly important topics. The European Commission's continued commitment to democracy and the rule of law is somewhat neglected. And this is not just about the urgent need to defend against disinformation and other hybrid attacks from third countries, but also, in particular, about the erosion of liberal democracy in many EU member states.
Von der Leyen will have taken the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland into account here. Nevertheless, she could have found suitable words without immediately having to expose herself to accusations of interfering in the election campaign. Not a word about the shrinking space for civil society, which in many places is being systematically rebuilt from above so that it no longer poses a threat to those in power or can no longer fulfill its task of ensuring transparency and accountability, which is essential for the survival of democracy . Von der Leyen has missed an important opportunity. The defenders of liberal democracy, of which the commission she leads undoubtedly belongs, must take off their kid gloves.
For us there is no question that the EU needs to be further deepened. First of all, the veto right of individual member states must finally be abolished in policy areas in which it causes blockages, gridlock and blackmail. However, the President is in favor of expansion, which does not seem to require deepening. That would be fatal for the Union. We agree that the Western Balkan states cannot wait much longer, and European states whose state integrity is currently threatened or attacked by Russia must be given a clear perspective of accession. Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are part of Europe.
However, at least simultaneous deepening is essential. Despite all the geopolitical changes, it is not secondary, but is more necessary than ever, especially with a view to Europe's ability to act in matters of foreign and security policy. Otherwise, individual members will have to set out and found a political union within an enlarged EU, from which new attractiveness and thus European political stability can arise for the whole of Europe.
Von der Leyen spoke not as the guardian of the treaties, but as a candidate. Her Hammock addressed her own party family, without whose support she cannot succeed as the top candidate. Above all, we would like clarity for the upcoming election campaign. The future of Europe in the current world (dis)order requires courage and leadership. The rapporteurs from five different groups in the European Parliament prove this with theirs suggestions for the Europe of tomorrow.
