After 4 months of following European news more closely my image of Europe has changed but I’m still not quite sure for the better. My opinion was that the European Parliament didn’t do too much because all member states need to agree on measures before they can be taken. I really get/got annoyed when they couldn’t/can’t even openly take a point of view in matters such as Israel and Palestine, or when troubles break out between Russia and a neighbouring country. My other prejudice was that they unnecessarily cost a lot of money (the monthly move to Strasbourg). So basically they were an expensive talking barrack. This is what I take away from 4 months of watching the EU more closely.
They do make a lot of decisions. It’s not surprising that as Belgian I underestimated the role of the EU seeing that Belgium is was one of the worst students in the class when it comes down to the implementation of guidelines. Further more I do think that a lot of the times the EP doesn’t get the credit for their realisations because individual politicians try to claim it and because guidelines are implemented with great delay. So when they are put into place no one remembers that it was that thing that the EP decided more than a year ago.
As an aspiring journalist I must acknowledge the media underreport on European topics. I don’t think the topic is sexy enough for them. The European Institutions need a face if they want to become more known to the people. When people see Barroso the majority of them knows he has something to do with Europe. If people are able to put a face on something they are easier interested in stories about it and the media will report about it more. I do think it’s not only the media but also the people who have a lack of interest in European topics and that’s why the media report less on it. It’s vicious circle that needs to be broken.
I do think that besides putting a face on the EU and its institutions, a simplification of these institutions is needed. One the first jobs of the new Parliament should be abolishing the monthly move to Strasbourg. Chose one place and stay there because all the money they put in the move could do a lot for tackling the crises or helping third world countries fighting poverty. Strasbourg may have an historical advantage, but Brussels is simply the most convenient one in relation to transportation, it has a very central location.
But what really puts me off is the fearfulness of the EU. If they can’t even deal with an 80-year-old nut like Jean-Marie Le Pen how will they deal with real threats and problems like the crisis and terrorism? Short sketch of the situation: At the opening session of the Parliament it’s tradition that the eldest MEP gets the honour of being the Parliament’s president for one day until the new one gets chosen. With his 80 years the extreme right winged French politician and president of Front National would have gotten this honour on the 14th of July if the Parliament hadn’t changed the rules. At the beginning of May, after a lot of discussion, the EP adapted a law that the eldest member would no longer preside the Parliament on the first day, but a former president or a former vice-president will get the honour. Don’t get me wrong I’m not defending Le Pen, because anyone who calls the gas chambers a minor detail in history is ready for the mental institution but why did they have to change the rules for one silly old man. When the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad makes bold and offending statements in his speech officials leave during it. Why couldn’t the MEPs have done the same, just leave the Parliament during Le Pen’s speech as a sign of protest? Why take away the honour for the ones who will follow Le Pen the ones who deserve it? Isn’t that giving to much credit to one person, do they really fear that Le Pen might have an influence on someone with his speech? I repeat the question that I had raised in my post in March on the possibility of Le Pen’s one day presidency: democracy or stupidity? Whatever you would like to call it, it isn’t democracy.
The EP gained more respect, but lost some at the same time. You can hate or love the European Union but you can’t say they don’t do anything or that they are redundant, although the European Commission has failed to deal with the economic crises, the Parliament and the Commission have overall delivered good work. And if it wasn’t for the Union and the euro, Belgium would be even broker than Iceland. Conclusion: Europe and its institution deserve our attention but a simplification of the system and putting a face on Europe will make the job easier for everyone.
(7 votes, average: 3.86 out of 5)
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QUOTE: “if it wasn’t for the Union and the euro, Belgium would be even broker than Island.” UNQUOTE
When you say ‘Island’ did you mean Ireland?
Ireland has the Euro and it hasn’t helped much; they’re broke. Credit ranking downgraded AGAIN today.
It would be a shock if people in Belgium were not positive about the EU, given that Brussels is the capital.
Hi
Sorry for my spelling error, I will adapt it immediately, I mean Iceland. If we hadn’t had the euro, but still had the Belgian francs we would have been as bankrupt as Iceland.
I don’t think that Europe is viewed as totally positive in any country . The low turnout figures in the other EU countries prove that. You also must understand that a lot of the Belgians who live in Flanders or in Wallonia aren’t that busy with Brussels unless there’s talk about the spit of Belgium and both Flanders and Wallonia want Brussels at their side. Not that I expect my country to split any time soon but I do think in the minds of the people Belgium is split up in 3 independent parts: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.
Hi Eveline,
Thanks for the reply.
I loved my stay in Belgium last year (various places).
I must admit that I dispair a bit that if even little Belgium is contemplating breaking up into 2 (or even 3) parts, what hope is there for the ever growing EU remaining together over time (50-100 years)? Especially with Brussels being the EU capital.
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