Brussels, 28/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is holding its annual congress in London from Thursday 28 November to Saturday 30 November. The leader of the party, Graham Watson, explains what is at stake. Watson is to be re-elected as the leader of the party this weekend but is not necessarily in an easy position in his constituency (interview by SP/transl.jl).
Agence Europe: What is going to happen at the London Congress? What are the themes that the ALDE party want to take forward to the European elections?
Graham Watson: The Congress is a festive occasion for the Liberals and this year we expect over 1,000 delegates to attend. Our main task will be to adopt our manifesto and to launch nominations for the post of president of the European Commission, a process that should end in February. Two candidates are already in the running, Olli Rehn and Guy Verhofstadt, but I cannot rule out other candidates - female candidates, for example. It will be an opportunity for each candidate to present themselves and to dialogue with the representatives of the various parties. Debates will be on all the supranational challenges facing us today, such as the survival of the EU in a global economy, climate change, the challenges of a rapidly growing world population, migratory flows, and international crime. Europe, it seems to me, is nowhere on these questions. For example, we are not even able to give Frontex the means it really needs and too little is being done on climate. One of the messages that we hope to send also is that of working in member states in order to obtain the same share of commissioners as today, with 8 out of 28.
As far as the two candidates who have already come forward are concerned, do you think one has more chance of success in February than the other?
No, and I do not even wish to guess what the outcome will be. At any rate, I can see there is a difference with the last elections when it was possible to perceive a certain rivalry between those holding economic liberalism ideas and those in favour of social liberalism. Today, it seems to me, although these two candidates are both in favour of the construction of Europe, Guy Verhofstadt wants to move a little faster than Olli Rehn. And I believe matters will be decided on that basis. When we adopt amendments for our manifesto on Saturday, we shall see what trend emerges. That will give us an idea of the candidate who should be selected in February.
Do you, like some, for example the Dutch foreign minister, believe that the Commission should be reformed in time?
Politicians come up with all sorts of catchphrases on this. But I do indeed believe that more effective management of the Commission is possible. There is certainly not enough work for 28 commissioners, that much is clear. The Commission, then, should be re-organised, perhaps in bigger departments with a “senior commissioner” and 2 or 3 “junior commissioners”. Our manifesto will not go into this level of detail in any case but will no doubt tackle the question. There are other reforms, however, for the European Parliament also. Today, with the European elections, that means 28 national elections. There is no elected MEP on a supranational list. If even 5% of MEPs were elected on such lists that would already give the citizens an idea of Europe.
Do you think that a Liberal candidate could hold the Commission presidency?
It is hard for me to imagine us being in that position. After the elections, it will probably be necessary to have a coalition perhaps even between the three main parties in order to be sure of getting legislation through. In such conditions, the Liberals will have to receive some recognition. Let us imagine that the president of the Commission comes from the EPP, and the High Representative from the PES - there will have to be a post for the Liberals. We shall not give our support if there is nothing in exchange.
How do you see the May 2014 elections for your troops in Parliament? What effect has the German voters' slap in the face to the FDP in September had upon you?
Six months ago, I was very pessimistic. I am slightly less so today. Of course, I think we shall suffer losses but it will not be the disaster that some have predicted. On the other hand, I expect a Parliament with more extremists. That is not what I want but it is not impossible that they will make up 20% of MEPs. All traditional parties will suffer losses. And as for the FDP, that is a very particular example. Their campaign was bad. But in several recent elections, at in Luxembourg for example, the Liberals have done well.
How do you see the elections going for you personally?
I am a candidate on the South West England list. I will be top of the list but it is true that I shall be challenged this time and it will be difficult with the breakthrough being made by UKIP that wants to take the UK out of the EU. I hope to be re-elected. I shall need nearly 17% of the votes as only six MEPs will be returned in my constituency. I hope to be re-elected and also continue to head the party by leading the campaign. The Congress should re-elect me as president this weekend. And I shall continue that role, even if I am not re-elected.