I chose for my last series of posts a format where I hope to be able to draw some conclusions out for my last post. I’m writing to all Belgian candidates – who have a reasonable chance for getting a seat - heading the list for the European Parliament. To each I will ask the same standard questions. Nothing more nothinhg less. You can find the results from my first guinea pig below.
Think Big, Vote Green! is the European slogan from Groen!, a Belgian Green party. Bart Staes is the person heading the list of candidates for the European Parliament.
Bio
Age: 50
Studies: secondary teacher training in the fields of Dutch, English and Economy
Former parties: Volksunie. (This party no longer exists; it is split into two parties. I will spare you from a list of the name changes, they are now known as SLP and NV-A.)
What are the most important reasons why people must vote for you?
Staes: “I was elected as one of the best members of European Parliament in 2004. And again last week on the website Parlorama.eu. I still work as hard as then. Also now more than ever Greens are needed in Parliament.”
Is this your first time Europe?
“No, I have been a Member of the European Parliament since 1999.”
Is your program for the regional elections very different from that for the European elections?
Staes: “Our main goals for the regional elections are a greener economy, a better life standard and the realisation of a society where everybody counts. For the European elections the topics are more or less the same but adapted a bit to a bigger European community. ”
Is the possible entry of Turkey high on your party’s topic list?
Staes: “No.”
What are your 3 main goals as a Member of Parliament?
Staes: “1. A Green New Deal for Europe. This Green Deal connects a greener economy with social justice and ecological responsibility. Together they will form the base to combat the economic crises.
2. More transparency. By that I mean a better plan to combat fraud.
3. A better promotion of fair trade and a more environmental friendly and healthy food production.”
If you could change one thing about the working of the European Union or European Parliament what would that be?
Staes: “More rights and say for the EP.”
Which principle of the European Union or European Parliament can’t ever be touched?
Staes: “The right of consultation. It’s important that not one institution can make all the decisions.”
Do you think the Belgian people underestimate the importance of Europe and its Parliament?
Staes: “ People are not enough informed through the regular media channels. It’s not surprising that they underestimate the importance.
If you could chose – regardless of the outcome of the elections – who gets to take the place of Barroso as President of the European Commission. Who would it be and why?
Staes: “Daniël Cohn-Bendit, for his vision, courage and decisiveness!”
(10 votes, average: 3.90 out of 5)
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Hi Eveline,
Good idea to follow this kind of format for your remaining posts. Will be interested to read the conclusions you draw. Have you thought of sending the same questions to one MEP from each Member State to see how they differ and who responds, or is that not the point? I wonder if any MEPs will answer with something other than ‘because I work hard’ when you ask why people vote for them? Good luck with it!
Hi
That’s a good idea. I will try to contact them. Yeah, I don’t think I will get very different responses to that question, but who knows the politicians might surprise us. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Eveline,
see my Belgian Elections for Europeans blog for in-depth interviews with the heads of European election lists from all the main political parties (Francophone and Flemish)in Belgium.
For all those who thought Belgian politics was complicated…I’ve just simplified it.