President Barroso tapped into his communist past and called for Europe to “reform” and this time “really reform”.
Don’t Cave into China and Russia and Corps
In a not so silent quip, President B warned of the dangers of European States caving in under pressure from multi-nationals and foreign powers and that the European Commission did not. This seemed like a gentle reminder to Angela Merkel whose seen as too close to the German car industry and who seems to be the voice of the Presidents of China and Russia in Brussels.
He led a battle cry against the finance industry and demanded that taxpayers no longer pay for the havoc that industry has inflicted on Europe, and rather that the industry contribute something to Europe.
Silent Storm
Europe’s presence has been best heard on the environment. It is one of the areas that even many sceptical europeans have been supportive of a Community approach. It’s an area that the public have often supported the European Commission against the Member State.
But, here President B was nearly silent.
He mentioned in passing:
Renewables
Climate Change
His follow up letter outlying his priorities for the coming year made reference to:
Listening to President B’s same speech last year I was struck by again the same fine intentions, but the low level of delivery.
Government Leaders learn – usually through painful experience – how slow and difficult reform is. Trying to do it at the EU level is just slower and more painful.
It is not a reason not to do what is needed. Tough choices need to be made. National vested interests need to be destroyed, and their political allies will seek to derail the common good. But, Jacques Delors showed that winning the greater good is well worth fighting for.