Which Europe is taking shape?

The European summit of December 9 produced two final documents. The first, a rather static blueprint, was signed by all 27 Member States, while the second agreed by 26 States, paves the way to a different dynamics for Europe’s future. The first final document consists in three chapters. In the opening chapter EU Heads of Government or State address economic policy, energy, and finally, enlargement. There is nothing surprising …Indeed, starting with the most important things is remarkably pedagogic. The signs of a new Italy led by Mario Monti are already perceivable. The identification of ways to exit the crisis requires the adoption of measures to complete the single market and boost economic growth. Without growth, which we hope will be sustainable, and aimed at the protection of the natural environment, the payback of European States’ debts is practically impossible. Moreover, from the document it emerges that the European Union is marking time. It fails to make a lunge at coordinating fiscal policies: no encouraging sign in area of energy is to be seen, while the plans for Croatia’s EU adhesion in July 1st 2013, and a suspension for Serbia were predictable. Europe is static. It’s a saddening acknowledgement.The second final document, consisting in the conclusions of 26 Countries, or more precisely, of 17 euro area member countries plus 9 that expressed their intention to join the EU, triggers opposite feelings and signals the presence of a new dynamics. The absence of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s signature on the blueprint exemplifies the United Kingdom’s dynamics of partition. The refusal to mitigate opt-out necessities to regulate financial markets so as to implement a Treaty revision addressed to euro area countries caused the switch. The detachment of the British, Scots, Welsh and Irish from the North of the EU is no longer a far-fetched idea. In fact, is it likely to happen, to the regret of the whole of Europe.At the same time, we are witnessing a dynamics of rapprochement. The debt crisis is prompting other Countries to consider a more “federal” Europe. It was decided to anticipate the day of the adoption of the European Stability Mechanism to July 2012 and to change the voting regulations of this tool which is likely to become the equivalent of the International Monetary Fund at European level. The regulation stipulating unanimous decisions will be replaced, in case of emergency, with a 85% qualified majority vote, whereby only three States – Germany, Italy and France -maintain vetoing power. Then a new Treaty will be drawn up, whose legal aspects are bound to be thorny. In fact, it provides for the budget sovereignty of all States in the good times, notably thanks to 0.5% structural deficit limit. However, in hard times, i.e., when a State collapses under the burden of excessive deficit, performance modalities are due to change, thereby adopting a federal approach. In the framework of an “economic partnership”, the State in question would be placed under Commission and Council surveillance that in turn “will undergo” the democratic control of the European Parliament. Indeed, these are just the first steps, and many questions still need to be addressed, but a federal outlook is reason for hope. It should be remembered that in spring 1940, in his essay on Europe, as regards to the federal question Jacques Maritain wrote: “For this, definite, concrete conditions are necessary. The economic interdependence of peoples is only one of these conditions. A common past is also necessary and common memories, even memories of conflicts and battles. An idea of the general ends of political life and of the common task to be undertaken is needed, a common spirit of civilization. (…) However difficult the task may be, one must hope for the coming of a federal Europe”. After more than sixty years, maybe the day when Maritain’s ideas will gain renewed topical relevance has finally come. In his essay, the author of “Integral Humanism” provides us with yet another lesson on which we are all called to reflect: “A federal Europe will not exist unless the Christian spirit brings it about”.