Climatic and environmental perils, instability in our neighborhood and the world, the rising economic and strategic power of China, support for growth and competitiveness, strengthening social cohesion, fighting tax evasion, promoting the rule of law and our shared values, demographic decline and migratory disorders, Russia’s aggression and interference, the hardening and unpredictability of the USA, Islamist terrorism, the scheduled then delayed “Brexit”…
The list of challenges that Europeans must tackle together has never been more impressive: it should urge our fellow citizens to engage in the European elections taking place on May 26* to designate those who will represent us in the European Parliament during a crucial period for the future of our country and the European Union.
The European Union is certainly not perfect and it is not easy to grasp since its construction and policies result from compromises between countries and political forces “united in diversity.” But this is even more reason to put a ballot in the box to influence the power relations that will determine the nature and content of the decisions made in Strasbourg and Brussels!
“Europe” naturally cannot do everything, and it is not responsible for all of our successes and failures. Its competencies and interventions are non-existent or limited in many of the areas at the heart of our “great national debate” such as direct taxation, social protection, the nature and functioning of our institutions, the organization of our education system, housing…
The main “concrete achievements” that European construction has made possible include historical and democratic reconciliation, where disputes are resolved peacefully; a unique and overall beneficial free movement area for our economies and citizens; an influential economic player in the world thanks to its trade policy and competition policy; a monetary union that protects against global speculation and competitive devaluations…
Loving Europe, therefore, means first calling to consolidate the foundations of the EU at a time when nationalist parties are attempting to form an unlikely “international” to undermine it. Loving Europe also means demanding that it be more ambitious to meet the challenges of a world in transition and not leave the monopoly of its critique to extremists.
The EU is unique, it is precious for the future of our continent and our planet. It is up to us to shape and transform it.
It is as citizens of France and Europe that we are invited to vote, so: “To the polls” citizens!
