Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called on EU leaders to focus on the "positive effects" of EU membership and not just on the "crises" and dangers facing Europeans, on Friday 3 May in Florence a few days before the extraordinary summit in Sibiu (see EUROPE 12247/1).
Three weeks before the European elections, Mr Iohannis acknowledged that democracy in the EU could be "under tension", but he does not agree that it should be "threatened" or in danger of dying. He took the example of his country, which is experiencing "hard cohabitation" with the current social democratic government, but where democracy remains "alive".
On 26 May, Romanians will be invited to participate in a referendum called on the same day as the European elections to ask the population about the merits of the latest government reforms (see EUROPE 12243/11).
While a strategy developed during the European election campaign by some parties - such as Mr Macron's La République en marche! in France - is to oppose pro-Europeans to Eurosceptics and populists, the Romanian President considered that voters should not be afraid. Certainly, according to Mr Iohannis, we must address the causes of the fears that citizens express, such as "having less tomorrow than they have today".
But it is also necessary, according to him, to develop a positive message about the European Union's successes. We must believe in a stronger Europe, be even more proud of it and "convince people that they have a bright future" in the EU, he said.
And the Romanian president added: "We've been talking about Brexit for 3 years. But this year we forgot to talk about economic performance, the single market, progress in terms of competitiveness. If we only talk about crises, threats and not solutions, people will be afraid and that is not what they expect from us".
The Romanian also advocated a response adapted to the target audiences. "In the centre and east, there is the fear of having less than old Europe.". All European leaders must be aware of this and local responses to these issues must also be addressed, said Mr Iohannis, who wanted to raise these issues in Sibiu.
The informal meeting of European leaders on Thursday 9 May in Sibiu is a timely opportunity to set a new course and reflect on European political priorities for the next 5 years. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)