For Nico Cué, the co-Spitzenkandidate of the European Left Party (EPLP) for the May European elections, the only way to save the European Union from the current "fascistic wave" is to cleanse the neoliberal years and return to the founding values of the European project.
"When I was 19, Europe was a future, a common vision, a common industry, as with Airbus, with the European Coal and Steel Community. There was a real desire to create wealth together and share it", the Belgian steelmaker recalled during an interview with EUROPE on Monday 28 January (see EUROPE 12181). Before lamenting: "Today, we are in a Europe of competition, precariousness and rejection of others, it is becoming unbearable!" "That's why I decided to get involved and accept the proposal that was made to me", he said.
Mr Cué's objective is not to take over the presidency of the European Commission, considering his chances to be minimal in view of the current political power relations and the "crumbling" of the left in Europe, particularly in France. "On the other hand, [I want] to focus the debate on the reality of the worker's daily life, on a Europe that should be different for us", explained the trade unionist, who considers himself to be a witness to the "casualisation of the world".
According to him, the neoliberal years that established the principle of competition as the alpha and omega of European integration must be erased. Instead, the EU must once again adopt a real industrial policy to protect itself against international competition, with Mr Cué referring in particular to the automotive industry, which should set up a common fund to assist in conversion.
But, in addition to social issues, one of the major challenges facing the European Union is climate change. He also suggested the creation of a European common fund to fight such a change.
Front against the "fascistic wave". In addition, Mr Cué called for the creation of a front of "democrats" in the face of the "fascistic wave" that is hitting the European Union. This front could, he said, bring together social democrats, environmentalists and the "left of the left", but without the Liberals. Before adding: "Afterwards, if we are to be confronted with a massive fascistic wave, then, of course, we need many more alliances."
As for the possibility of a 'Lexit', i.e. a unilateral and left-wing exit from the EU, the option is categorically rejected by the trade unionist. "No, I'm a European. I think we must remain in Europe, we must reform Europe", he said.
For the time being, the conduct of the campaign is unclear and the division of tasks with the other co-Spitzenkandidate, Slovenian Violeta Tomič, an LGBTQI activist, remains to be determined. However, Mr Cué suggested that the campaign themes be shared: social themes for him and societal themes for her. According to him, the dual bid approach is in no way a handicap, because, in addition to ensuring gender parity, it makes it possible to cover Europe more effectively by significantly increasing travel and events.
The only certainty is that the trade unionist dismissed the possibility of running a list in the European elections: "There is a trade union tradition: union and politics must not mix. And I respect that commitment." (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)