We want to remind you that that not only does the cause of the current crisis lie in too high public deficits but also in the contradiction of having a common currency without an economic government. The hitherto form of coordination proved to be insufficient. We welcome the Commission’s, Member States’ and European Parliament’s attempts to strengthen and improve the European economic governance but we consider that the right consequence of the current crisis goes beyond the mere addition of secondary law, and rather lies in the creation of strong institutions of a Economic and Fiscal Union. Furthermore we outline with deep and painful concern, that the current crisis more and more undermines people´s belief in the legitimacy of the European Union.
We affirm the necessity to go further in political integration, making a European Federation starting at least from the Eurozone countries but open to all countries willing to join, in order to make possible a fiscal and economic union, what we really need to face contemporary crisis and globalisation challenges.
Therefore we reaffirm our strong belief that the only answer to the European crisis lies within the relaunch of the federalist project, putting the European Economic Government on a broad, democratic and efficient basis. The backdoor intergovernmental method is a short-term answer and needs to be replaced by the development of supranational democratic institutions responsible in front of the people. Furthermore it has to be put into the bright lights of a true European debate, which calls for a political union and democratic progress.
Therefore we request the drawing up, before the 2014 European elections, of a plan to relaunch the European constituent project, so as to resolve, without delay, the crucial problems of the democratic legitimacy of the European Union and of the government of fiscal, budgetary and monetary policies, so that the European institutions might win back the consent of the European citizens and of the international community. A new constituent Convention should be convened with representatives elected by the citizens both at national and at European level, as well as representatives of the governments and the European Commission, which, overcoming national vetoes, will have a mandate to develop a federal constitution.
Besides, in the context of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 negotiations we request the implementation of an environmentally and socially sustainable European development plan funded by own resources and a strong increase of the European budget.
We appeal furthermore for a visible, strong, and comprehensive investment in young people as a key priority for growth, stability, and wellbeing of the society. Youth must be mainstreamed in all the resources that the Union has at its disposal. Spiralling levels of youth unemployment and the associated increased levels of poverty and social exclusion are the results of not only the economic crisis, but also of a lack of real financial investment in young people and their social support structures, the youth organisations.
Finally as the governance of the Schengen area will also be at your agenda, we want to remind you that you can’t exclude the European Parliament, which represents the European citizens, from co-decision on possible suspensions of the Schengen Treaty, thus downgrading it to an observer role and trampling on its prerogatives. We also strongly oppose the reintroduction of any border control in the EU and the questioning of this tremendous benefit that represents the right to move freely.
We urge you to realise a fundamental shift in your approach of the European Union and adopt a truly federal approach as the only way out of the economic but also democratic European crisis.
The current European situation needs political leadership for the renewal of the European Union. The European citizens count on you.
1. On 28 June 2012 at 17:25, by I want out
Replying to: for a FEDERAL EUROPE now!
A new constituent Convention should be convened with representatives elected by the citizens both at national and at European level, as well as representatives of the governments and the European Commission, which, overcoming national vetoes, will have a mandate to develop a federal constitution. Firstly why does the Commission which is simply a bureaucracy given any representation? They have absolutely no democratic credibility. Secondly are you really suggesting that if a number of countries after consulting their people are mandated to veto this constitution they are to be ignored? Very democratic. Finally do you have any evidence at all that a Federal Europe is wanted by a majority of people or doesn’t that matter? You are describing a process which will almost certainly lead to wide scale violence. We are where we are precisely because those of you who knew so much better than anyone else went ahead with a fundamentally flawed currency regardless of advice which was given at the time. Now you are desperate and are once again ignoring advice and making a bad situation catastrophic.
2. On 29 June 2012 at 11:40, by Ireland
Replying to: for a FEDERAL EUROPE now!
Really wish it would happen, alas seems more and more distant with each passing summit.
3. On 8 August 2012 at 03:54, by Europe: Not EU
Replying to: for a FEDERAL EUROPE now!
If you want a deeper integrated Europe, then your primary concern should be to convince the ordinary citizens. I am tired of being scared into thinking that a economic crisis justifies democratic principles can be overlooked or ignored. Surely in times of crises the logical, modern, and rational thing to do is to get the consent of the people; for if there is no consent then no matter what the remedy it is doomed to fail. It is a well known fact that the democratic deficit in the EU is now more vast than ever, and opinion polls are clearly showing a genuine dislike for the EU. Hold referendums! and stick by the result. No matter if you are a Eurosceptic or European Federalist, we must all adhere to democratic principles. If referendums support deeper integration then let the history books show the people wanted it. Imposing a utopian ideology on the people without consent - no matter how revolutionary it is - is plain wrong and flies in the face of everything the post-WW2 leaders envisioned. Don’t forget that throughout history, policies have been imposed on the populace, and for thousands of years the most advanced empires have crumbled. Please do not make the same mistake. If people vote no accept it and hope that one day you can convince them to vote yes. This is simply the only way. What we saw before Lisbon in Ireland has completely turned many people off the idea of being European. Let’s be frank - the second round of voting was quite frankly a pseudo act of democracy, and is exactly what dictators do to justify their existence to the outside world. Who here can name 10 members of the EU parliament? or how many MEP’s there are? or the number of EP parties? Perhaps that is silly because of the site I am on, but consider the layman on the street, consider the millions of people. This is a supra national entity, and to think otherwise destroys the sovereignty of all nations. Do not be part of something like this. Only ignorant people will not conceive a Europe without the EU - or at least in its current format. Economic survival is not dependent on political union. The UK would do perfectly fine without being a member of the EU because it is inconceiveable for the EU not to make a trade deal with them. Look how much is imported into the UK from Europe, and vice versa. The £9,000,000,000,000 given to the EU from the UK will be gone creating a shortfall anyway, and the UK can make whatever trade deal it likes with the US, Japan, China and India. It is a globalised market yet France, Germany and the UK are unable - as top 10 economies - to sit in at the WTO - or make their own competitive trade deals with emerging markets. Do not let fear of economics trick you into thinking we need political union for the simple fact the coercive factor is FEAR. There are alternatives to this model we have now.
Follow the comments:
|
