Vaccines; Recovery; a green and technological future. And more defense. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has drawn this Wednesday in the debate on the state of the Union before the European Parliament her idea of the European Union. And, in that particular vision of the former Defense Minister Angela Merkel bets on new European military capabilities after the fiasco in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have returned to power in record time after two decades of occupation by NATO and the United States.
“Europe has to go one step further, we are going to convene a conference on European defense next year with President Macron [Francia preside la UE el primer semestre de 2022]”, said Von der Leyen:” Until now the lack of political will has prevented us from advancing. In recent years we have started to develop a European defense ecosystem, although what we really miss is a European Defense Union. “
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In a political world often governed by narratives and short dribbles, the president of the European Commission has pulled the latest crisis, that of Afghanistan, to speak of defense and pressure with her migratory pact – rejected by the south for changing distributions of migrants by sponsored returns. And, of course, to compare the conjunctural rate of vaccination and European macroeconomic data with other blocs, such as the United States or China.
“Looking back, I see a strong soul in what we do,” said Ursula von der Leyen, quoting Robert Schuman, who spoke of the need for a European soul “an ideal and a political will to serve that ideal” . In this sense, the President of the Commission stated: “In the greatest global crisis we have chosen to move forward together. With the crisis, we have chosen to move forward together with European funds, and in the planetary crisis, with the European Green Deal. But no The times of the coronavirus are over. There is still a lot of pain. This year and next will be another test, but when we put ourselves to the test, our soul shines and Europe will pass the test. “
And, with the thread of the soul evoked by one of those considered founders of the pillars of the current European Union. Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, delivered a statement on May 9, 1950, which enlightened the European Coal and Steel Community. “Europe will not be made all at once or in a joint effort: it will be made thanks to concrete achievements, which first of all create a de facto solidarity,” Schuman said that day.
Two years ago Von der Leyen took office as President of the European Commission with a feminist memory speech: “Exactly 40 years ago Simone Veil [impulsora de la ley de despenalización del aborto en Francia en 1975] she became the first female president of the European Parliament. Thanks to her and other iconic figures I introduce myself. “But this time he preferred to articulate his speech with one of the so-called fathers of europe with a tone of complacency: “This is the soul of Europe; this is the future of Europe; let’s make it stronger together.”
Von der Leyen, yes, has proposed a European law of sexist violence: “Defending our values is also defending freedom. Freedom to be who you are, freedom to say what you think, freedom to love whoever you want. But freedom also it means freedom from fear. And during the pandemic, too many women were deprived of that freedom. That is why, at the end of the year, we will propose a law to combat violence against women, from prevention to protection and effective prosecution. It is about defending the dignity of each individual. It is about justice. Because this is the soul of Europe. And we must make it even stronger. “
The president of the European Commission has also made a meander to pressure Poland and Hungary for their authoritarian drift. Of course, without specifically mentioning the countries and what they are doing with women, universities, NGOs, human rights defenders, journalists and, also, LGTBIQ groups. And, yes, reminding their governments of the Second World War, the “Iron Curtain” and that when they entered the EU they promised to comply with a series of values that are systematically skipping by practicing insubordination, in addition, with respect to the judgments of the European Justice.
“Worrying developments are taking place in some Member States”, said the President of the European Commission: “People must be able to rely on the right to an independent judiciary. The right to be treated on equal terms before the law. all over Europe. “
The president of the European Commission has also launched a commitment to semiconductors in Strasbourg. “Let me turn your attention to semiconductors, those tiny chips that make everything work, from smartphones and electric scooters to trains or smart factories.” generation, including its manufacture, guarantee our security of supply and develop new markets for pioneering European technology. “
Von der Leyen, of the European PP, former minister of Merkel, whose party is about to lose the German government after the elections of September 26, knows that he owes his position to the alliance between popular, socialists and liberals. For this reason, he has launched a series of winks to the group of Social Democrats beyond the law against sexist violence, and has spoken about public services, care and taxation.
“We are talking about decent jobs, fair working conditions, better health care and a good balance of life. So that every man and every woman can receive the best possible care and achieve the best balance of life. That said, social equity is not only a question of time, but also a question of fiscal equity. Paying taxes in a fair amount is not only a question of public finances, but also, and above all, a simple question of equity “, he stated .
Von der Leyen has also confirmed Brussels’ interest in agreeing to a reform of European fiscal rules on debt and deficits before the end of next year, but without expressing where he wants the debate to go: “We have to reflect on how the crisis has affected the configuration of our economy, from the increase in debt to the unequal impact on the different sectors or the new ways of working. To this end, in the coming weeks the Commission will reactivate the debate on the review of economic governance ” .
