Community citizens are called to vote on the composition of the European Parliament (EP) in June, after a legislature in which the institution has had a “stronger” role, according to its spokesman, Jaume Duch. The Catalan journalist acknowledges that a rise of the extreme right is expected, but rules out that it will obtain a majority. “The projections indicate that there will be a certain increase in these forces, but there will also continue to be a majority formed by the classic political families and linked to European construction”.
Could the conservatives agree with the far right?
Many voices in Brussels insist on the importance that Europe must be governed by very majority and constructive coalitions, that seek feasible solutions and not solutions that are easily sold, but which then do not work.
Have you detected more interest in these elections?
According to the Eurobarometer, there are 71% of citizens who recognize that what is decided in Brussels or Strasbourg has an impact on their lives. There are also 69% of people who say they would go to vote if the election were next week, nine points more than in the 2019 election.
What is it due to?
The level of visibility of the European Union has been stronger than ever in the last five years. Because of Brexit, the pandemic, the recovery plan, the war in Ukraine or the sanctions on Russia, among many other issues. When the European elections come people will have a stronger memory of the legacy of this legislature than they could have in the past. These elections have more political weight than the previous ones and are more connected to the reality of each country.
If Donald Trump wins the US in November and, as predicted, leaves Europe alone in its support for Ukraine, what role will the EP play in European defence?
Candidate Donald Trump still questions the need to stay in NATO. Europe is not one of their priorities. If Trump wins, we must take strategic autonomy, which has a very important security and defense component, very seriously. Because of Ukraine, progress has been made in that direction, but depending on what happens in the US election, we’re going to find this sense of urgency that makes things accelerate.
A Latvian MEP was spying for Russia for years, The Insider reported this week. what do you know
She is a citizen known for her pro-Russian political affiliation and elected by a part of Latvia’s Russophones. The allegations are taken very seriously and the EP President will take the case to the Consultative Committee on the Conduct of Members and the Conference of EP Presidents.
Before, there was the perception that politicians who wanted to leave were sent to Brussels. What is today of reality in this?
Now it’s the opposite. In the EP there is a generation of foreign politicians who then make the jump to national politics at the top. If we look at the foreign ministers of the EU states, there are many who have been MEPs, such as the Frenchman Stéphane Sejourné. The era of early retirement has nothing to do with the current Parliament.
Environmental policies are causing tensions with farmers. Will this issue mark the next legislature?
indeed On the one hand, there is an absolute conviction that climate change must be fought and, therefore, the package of measures that we call the Green Deal must be completed. On the other hand, if these measures are not accompanied by financial support, they may be viewed negatively by the primary sector. And there must also be an EU reindustrialisation policy, which means moderating globalisation.
And what does this imply?
Give the EU the tools that were delegated to third countries: access to energy, to basic products, to valuable land or minerals for technological development… This will only be achieved if the necessary economic incentives are given or the essential social policy cushion. This also means improving the EU’s funding system. Finding a way to advance these issues while making people see that they have advantages will be difficult.
