EU: concreteness and truth ” “

2014 is expected to be a very busy year at European level, still coming to grips with the consequences of the economic crisis. European elections, banking union, and migrations are bound to be given a central role in the political agenda. The hovering ghost of Euroscepticism (which depending on the situation takes the shape of populism, varying degrees of nationalism or obstructionism against the single currency) prompts the need for more convincing answers not only on the part of the institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg, but also by member countries’ governments. Indeed, almost all recent national elections – apart from the case of Germany – have replaced previous leaderships on the wake of widespread dissatisfactions and the quest for a scapegoat; recent surveys in Great Britain and France make it clear…As regards the EU, the 2014 agenda envisages an utter renewal of responsibilities. From May 22 to 25 500 million citizens of 28 member countries will be called to the polls to elect 751 MEPs for the next five-year term. The upcoming elections differ from the previous ones in that the Lisbon Treaty provides for stronger legislative powers to the European Parliament in terms of budget governance, political control, and decision-making powers in the composition of the next Commission. “Political families” such as the EPP, Socialists and Democrats, Liberal-Democrats, Conservatives, the Greens thus have the possibility to suggest, and some already have, their respective candidates to the post of president of the Executive, the position currently held by Portuguese president José Manuel Barroso. Along with national candidates, it is expected that national political forces will jointly propose “continental” programs. Thus also the electoral campaign is due to take on a new feature, giving a central role to questions with a European bearing (the economy, credit, competitiveness, research, regional development, education, protection of rights, infrastructure, energy, environment, relationships with partners outside the EU).In addition to the renewal of the Parliament in Strasbourg, changes are on the horizon also for the Commission (whose mandate expires at the end of October), along with other appointments such as that of the president of the European Council, to replace Belgian Herman Van Rompuy, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the post currently held by Catherine Ashton (GB).Before May’s elections, EU institutions and member countries are expected to reach a solution to a set of hanging issues, notably banking union, with difficult negotiations under way between Parliament and EU Council. Among the issues of utmost importance figure also a set of political and legislative questions such as measures on migration flows, the adoption of the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 with the related programs and funds, the safety of national budgets, the project of an Adriatic-Ionian macro-region, along with a set of directives with direct impact on the citizens’ lives, such as that on tobacco. Unquestionably, economic recovery and employment are paramount commitments on which depend social peace, widespread poverty, the strengthening of citizens’ rights, support to household expenses, and finally, the political stability of member States. Only though concrete, visible answers to citizens’ daily problems will Europe and pro-Europeans alike recover the sympathy and the support of their voters.A realistic reflection on these issues and on the future of integration was carried out by European Council president, Van Rompuy during a conference in Copenhagen: “Employment, growth and their precondition; political and financial stability. These are the main ingredients in order to recover people’s confidence, confidence in the skills and strength of our continent, of our national economies and confidence in the European project”. He continued: “There is yet another way in which men and women policymakers can regain public confidence: they must speak the truth. One of the truths to be said is that it takes time until reforms can tangibly influence growth and employment. Another truth is that the ultimate answer to the crisis is not the creation of financial instruments (funds and bonds), but making changes to the real economy. A third truth is that without Europe the costs would be unsustainable”. Van Rompuy ended his speech with remarkable words: “Making people believe that a Country could make it alone is not only a deceit. It’s a blatant lie! Populism and nationalism cannot provide the answers to the challenges of our times”. Reality and truth: who knows if these two elements will characterize the upcoming European election campaign.