Every plenary session of the European Parliament brings its debate on the future of the European Union with a member of the European Council. That on Wednesday 13 June was above all marked by the openness and clarity of the position held by the prime minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte (Liberal).
“For some, ever closer union is still a goal in itself. Not for me. (...) You don’t achieve unity by simply doing more in more areas. You achieve it by doing things really well in a few important areas”, he began.
Such comments are directly in line with the fourth scenario set out by the European Commission for a Union of 27 by 2025: “Doing more with less” (see EUROPE 11736).
This reference, however, also gave rise to concern that the Netherlands might leave the ranks of the pro-European founding members, making it necessary for Rutte to clarify his views during a press conference. “I’m pro-European Union and, because I am, I think this whole idea of the unavoidability of ever closer union (...) would not help to create a strong European Union. I think it will make many people step away from it”, he explained.
Rutte thus prefers to speak of a “more perfect Union”. He set out his vision of such a Union to MEPs. In his view, the EU must focus on the new priorities given and the areas in which it brings real added value, namely: the single market, international trade, single currency, climate policy, migration policy and joint border control and collective security.
Climate policy, he believes, is the perfect example of a new priority for which the bar should be raised. In this respect, he suggests a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 2030, instead of the current goal set at 40%. With countries such as France, the Netherlands hopes to spearhead the climate ambition, he said.
The Dutch prime minister also called on member states to be united in the face of a changing world order and threats coming not only from Russia but also from the United States – a partner for which he is still a fervent defender of the transatlantic link.
Rutte then took the example of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), an area where the EU tends to invent new tools although existing instruments are not implemented.
“I know that a currency union needs stabilisation mechanisms in times of crisis. But if the 19 eurozone countries were to put their own budget and national debts in order, then it would probably be stabilisation enough. It is simply an agreement under the Stability and Growth Pact”, he explained.
In Rutte’s opinion, EU added value in respect of rule of law is undeniable. “When Article 7 is concerned, be certain that my country is fully behind the Commission on this matter”, he assured Vice President Frans Timmermans, with reference to the specific procedure aimed at Poland (see related article).
Budgetary position criticised
Parliament's political groups eagerly awaited Mark Rutte’s stance on the next EU budget.
“For the Netherlands, it is only logical that the budget should shrink after Brexit. And within that smaller budget, it is logical that wealthy states should pay more but not disproportionately so. The Netherlands is willing to pay its share but countries with a comparable level of prosperity must make a comparable net contribution per capita”, Rutte said.
More generally, the Dutch leader said that negotiations to come on the multiannual financial framework beyond 2020 are an opportunity to be seized to show that the EU is in earnest when it comes to reform, mainly by reallocating funds to new priorities (see EUROPE 12013).
“Currently, the CAP and the structural funds swallow up 70% of the budget”, he said with regret. In his view, these are not 21st century priorities.
His opposition did not convince either the EPP Group or the S&D Group. Manfred Weber (EPP, Germany) felt it is not truly fair to speak of disproportionate contributions since the dedicated mechanism is clearly linked to the GDP of member states.
The Dutch head of state spoke, moreover, against Parliament's proposal on a budget for the EU of 1.3% of gross national income (see EUROPE 11946), despite MEPs’ insistent call for greater flexibility in its position.
“Saying that we have to go to 1.3% again, I believe, will only fuel the extremists saying that Europe is not making the necessary choices”, he said firmly.
A place for the Netherlands to take after Brexit
Peter van Dalen (ECR, Netherlands) raised the question of the future role of the Netherlands within the EU after Brexit, suggesting that the country could take the place of “constructive opposition and counterweight to the Franco-German duo”, hitherto held by the United Kingdom.
“Withdrawal by the United Kingdom”, said Rutte, “means that we become the fifth country of the EU in terms of economic weight”.
The Netherlands is working with Germany and France but is also seeking to develop new alliances with the Baltic States, Scandinavian countries, Austria, Spain, Ireland and Portugal. On the other hand, he assured, it is not a question of counter-balancing the German or French influence. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)