Sorensen interviewed the Polish MEP Bronislaw Geremek, a former militant of Solidarnosc, who recalled the excitement of the fall of the Berlin wall, which is celebrated today, November 9th. But, despite these steps that have led to the reunification and democratisation of each country, admitted Geremek, “we are not citizens of a democratic EU yet”, partly because a European “demos” does not exist yet in the political sphere”. “We must give citizens a right of initiative, criticism, participation”, exhorted Geremek, welcoming the proposal put forward by a young participant, of holding a European referendum in 2009 about the Constitutional Treaty: “It should raise simple, clear questions, even if it would be too time-consuming. But a European referendum would mean democratising the EU”. Geremek, and then the former European Commissioner Mario Monti, highlighted the lack of a "European public sphere" having communication media and offering the opportunity to express oneself in society. "There is Euronews but that’s not enough commented Geremek -. It is also a matter of initiatives and economic resources. And this is a weakness of the European institutions. The European public sphere must skip rhetoric and get to the core of the problems”. (to be continued)” “
