The card of courage

“Today it takes courage to describe oneself pro-European” given that those who play nationalism card, supported by the Euro-sceptic press, gain majority votes in national elections”. It’s an indisputable fact that is not being conveyed by a dreamer, a visionary, or a “pure” federalist, as was the case of Altiero Spinelli, founder of the European Federalist movement. Instead, the phrase is contained in an open letter to EU27 Heads of Government or State signed by the leaders of the three major political groups at the European Parliament, namely, Joseph Daul, (French), president of the Popular Party Group; Martin Schulz, (German), chair of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Guy Verhofstadt, (Belgian), leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.On the eve of the EU Council of June 23-24 the three politicians, representing various nationalities as well as different cultural and political backgrounds, jointly drew up a document that deserves being referred to, also in the light of the outcomes of the summit. In fact, in the framework of the theme of the Council, namely, economic governance, Daul, Schulz and Verhofstadt conveyed their reflections on the reasons for the contemporary need of “more Europe”. Accordingly, in an increasingly globalized and interdependent era, Community integration is the only path leading to the defence of stability and peace in the Old Continent, to wellbeing and security for all citizens, while remaining jointly and responsibly open to the rest of the world. “If Europeans intend to save and strengthen their greatest achievement, namely, living and working together, they need to accept some truths”, the three leaders declared. The first truth is that “There is no euro without economic integration”. In other words, “Europeans are facing a clear choice: if they wish to preserve the single currency, they must decide to converge their economic policies, i.e. the budget and their fiscal and social policies”. Hence the firm indication of shared governance, “capable of neutralizing macro-economic unbalances in a heterogeneous economic space”. The second “truth” is that “ready-made solutions” and bluffs are useless. Before economic recession and instable public budgets it is necessary to take preventive measures by adopting stable political and financial tools, customized according to ongoing challenges. Thoughts go to the first – albeit delayed – attempts to rescue Greece, Ireland and Portugal. A lot has been done, but a lot of work lies ahead. The new governance regulations, the European stability mechanism, the euro plus Pact, the “European semester”, the jointly addressed recommendations for EU27 structural reforms along with debt and deficit reduction measures are further steps forward that ought to be acknowledged to last week’s European Council. Finally the last “truth” (a similar – yet less high-sounding term – would have been equally appropriate) is that “there is safety in numbers”. The EU “is the tool that can enable political Europe to exert global influence”. “In order to regulate financial markets, counter climate change and preserve our lifestyle, a continent that unites its sovereignty and its resources has more strengths than any national State does”. The recovery of the ‘nation-State’, declare the three politicians, is an “illusion”, as well as a dangerous “non-answer”.Thus the conclusion: “It’s time to start speaking well of Europe again. […] Drawing inspiration from the values of liberty, solidarity, social justice, equal opportunities and sustainable development, we created the most powerful economic space in the world. Europeans share, more and more every day, the same values and the same hopes. In Europe, economic success and social cohesion are viewed as the two sides of the same coin, since freedom always goes hand in hand with responsibility. The European Union is a reality. It’s not a perfect reality, but it equally deserves being defended”. In order to do so it’s necessary to show “the same visionary courage of the founding fathers of united Europe”. Beyond all political divisions, rhetoric speech and partiality, Daul, Schulz and Verhofstadt indicate a compulsory albeit virtuous path.