Respecting France. The time for lamenting the situation in Europe is over. The future should now be looked at with a modicum of calm and confidence. Let's start with a less anxious vision of the situation in France - the second most powerful economy in Europe, with its remarkable industrial groups, competitive services, mastery of high technology, very well qualified labour, outstanding productivity, high level of universities, positive demography, efficient administration (compared with that of other member states), and the top tourist destination in the world, thanks mostly to its artistic heritage. Other countries in the EU can be put at comparable levels for one or other of these aspects - but France is the only one to bring all these qualities together.
What's the problem, then? It's simple. Whatever its talents might be, France in isolation (like any European country for that matter) will not be able to hold on to any global role and will no longer be able to sit at the table where the most powerful states discuss the future of humanity. In a few years' time, no European country will remain at this table alone or have its place in the G7 or in any similar organisation because in the other continents, the weight of countries with impressive dimensions continues to increase. Europe will have its word to say only if it presents itself in the world as a single whole - and indeed accentuates this nature. Its weight will even grow - but by re-establishing the so-called national autonomies it will no longer be listened to because its voice will no longer be heard.
Unthinkable development. Any development of national autonomies like this is therefore unthinkable. The nationalist approach, which is at first sight affirmed in France and which has received some support elsewhere, cannot be allowed to bring down European unity - whatever its faults and shortcomings. Of course, the EU must respect the rules of democracy within it. Given that political forces opposed to true European unity exist and have obtained votes, they have the right to be represented in the European Parliament and to express themselves freely - on the understanding that they must abide by the rules and accept majority decisions.
In France, the shock has been considerable - to see that the eurosceptic party has come out top of the political forces in the country! In fact, the pro-European French forces are far more numerous, but they are divided by different political approaches and their voters are often unhappy and partly demoralised. They are nevertheless far from advocating a return to a divided Europe.
Positive aspects and unpredictable ups and downs. The scope and significance of these ups and downs could have favourable repercussions. They strengthen the need to act, and to accelerate the developments and innovations that are under way - which are not sometimes pursued and made concrete with the desired speed and momentum.
It is normal that public attention is focused largely on the polemics and on the demagogy of spectacular political events, and that the political forces have seized this opportunity to blame each other for some choice or other or behaviour. What remains in the shadows is the breadth of the progress - even recent progress - in European construction. It is true that these positive developments are often slow and gradual in nature - their content and their nature are not evident for the public to see. EUROPE reports on them every day, analysing the various positions of the member states.
Let me simply underline that a large number of the instruments needed by the EU to respond to the current difficulties have been developed, are gradually entering into force and will become operational at the right time. The time needed in the area of finance, which is so complex, is still long - but the panoply of tools needed to take action is considerable. Unfortunately it can happen that the decisions adopted together, and by respecting Community rules and procedures, come up against obstacles and are not always correctly applied everywhere. The renewal of the European Parliament (now completed) and of the other institutions (which is still ongoing) must bring fresh momentum to European construction. This involves, perfectly normally, several difficulties and a number of conflicts. The current ups and downs are leading to deep repercussions, regarding whether the UK remains in the EU, for example, and its modalities. Several other changes that are just as significant are possible. This column will return to them.
(FR)