Athens, 09/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - During the opening ceremony of the Greek Presidency in Athens on Wednesday 8 January, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso ruled out the possibility of a victory of extremist forces in the European elections, while recognising that, due to the crisis, “extremes and populism can prosper even in the most advanced countries”.
A sign of this tension was seen by the fact that the head of the main Greek opposition party, the radical Left Syriza, Alexis Tsipras, boycotted the opening ceremony (see EUROPE 10992). This was a “symbolic” gesture by this opponent of the austerity plans imposed on his country. A “person interested in Europe would have come”, answered Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
Barroso called on the main political forces to engage in a European debate, to have an “honest debate”, to leave the comfort zone, and to hold discussions with those against Europe and European integration. There is no doubt, in Barroso's view, about the fact that the main political forces will win the next European elections in May. The eurosceptic and extreme parties are rising in power throughout Europe but Barroso is not expecting these parties to win. The main political forces can win with “rational arguments”. Barroso did not believe that extremist parties and popular forces are “engaged in the same way as us” for European values. “European integration is a democratic project, not a technocratic project”, he stated.
Samaras also seemed confident. People will have to decide about what they do or do not want as a Union, he said. “They can decide on a Europe with a few eurosceptic approaches but I don't agree with those who don't want this Europe to exist”, he said. While the Greek population is suffering from the crisis, which could lead to them vote for extreme parties such as Golden Dawn, “I believe that the Greek people also votes for its children and the future of the country that it loves”, he said. Samaras added that Golden Dawn “has nothing to do with democracy”. In his view, the solution is more Europe and a better Europe. “We want more and not less Europe. A Europe which brings a response to our anxiety and our fear. A stronger and more united Europe, to bequeath something important to young people”, Samaras said. He concluded by saying that Europe is “the best guarantee of a brighter future” (our translation).
Will 2014 be a better year? “Democracy doesn't stop at elections. Democracy means listening to each other, looking for lasting solutions, making agreements, respecting them and being accountable for the results, telling the truth, acting responsibly and providing social justice” said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy during the ceremony.
In Van Rompuy's opinion, 2014 should be a “better year”. This is a year in which “we must focus again on results - first of all, in terms of jobs”. The priorities defined by the Greek Presidency “illustrate well our common goals, what citizens care most about - jobs, a growing economy, strong banks in the eurozone and security at our common borders”, said Van Rompuy.
Away from the official speeches, a few hundred protesters from the Left and union representatives held demonstrations, with some of them demanding that Greece leave the EU. A number of scuffles were reported between the protesters and the police, present in large numbers. (CG with LC/transl.fl)