Speaking at a formal sitting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday 4 April, new German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticised the UK decision to leave the European Union and called for populism to be resisted.
Steinmeier made clear his determination to defend Europe against the prophets of doom: “I want Europe to be the way most Germans want it to be. We don’t want to turn the clock back to the dark days of the past”. “It is irresponsible to try to make people believe it is possible to avert dangers such as terrorism and climate change by building walls and barricades”, said the Social Democrat (SPD) president, in this his first speech as president outside Germany.
He spoke of his disappointment at the UK’s decision to leave the EU. He referred to the Declaration of Rome, signed by the 27 member states at the end of March, stressing that “we are united and stronger together” (see EUROPE 11754). “It is a legacy on which our children can build their future” And it must not be handed over to the enemies of Europe, said the former German foreign minister, to loud applause in the chamber.
He said that Europe was going through a difficult period and that effort was needed to achieve what remains unfinished on Europe. “We must build bridges over the divides”, he stated. Strengthening the single market, protecting the victims of globalisation and building our innovation and creativity: that is what must be done, Steinmeier said. That is how to pull the rug from under the feet of the populists who claim that leaving the EU means reclaiming full sovereignty.
Steinmeier argued for a stronger Europe but a Europe that leaves room for countries which cannot yet play a full part in further European construction. He argued for European solidarity towards countries facing crisis, or a European solidarity supporting and not replacing national efforts. Dismissing any idea of German hegemony in Europe, he said that the power of Europe could not be based on the leadership of one single country.
Turning his attention to enlargement, the German president opined that, “if there is no integration of our neighbours to the east and to the south, there will be no lasting peace on this continent”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)