Brussels, 30/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - As minds are being given to preparing a new vision of Europe to rally people to vote in the European elections in May 2014, thoughts are turning to ways of preventing people simply voting to punish governments at home. MEPs Philippe Boulland, Alain Lamassoure, Jean Roatta and Tokia Saïfi (all from the EPP) published an article in the French business paper Les Échos on Tuesday 30 July calling for “euro-patriotism”, by giving people the feeling of belonging to Europe and identifying with it that goes beyond an anthem, a currency and a flag, a feeling that will make them fight back when Europe is used as a scapegoat, one of the reasons, they argue, for low turnout in the European elections.
They say this means calling on the feeling of belonging, rights and duties, citizenship, defence of a cause and solidarity. They say that unlike myths, regional and national identities continue to exist within the European Union, as was seen with the “cultural exceptions” excluded from the negotiating mandate for a free-trade deal with the United States. They point out that France only accounts for 4% of global GDP, but Europe's GDP takes that to 25%, more than the United States and double China's. The MEPs say European jobs and companies need protection by being competitive against foreign competitors, ensuring reciprocal market access and tackling all forms of dumping. This will lead to the emergence of industrial champions and a strong feeling of common pride. The politicians recommend extending Schengen, a more ambitious defence policy and social governance to deal with citizens affected by the raft of austerity drives. (LC/transl.fl)