May readers rest assured: I shall not inflict on them an umpteenth comment on the outcome of the French elections. I shall limit myself to considerations from a European standpoint.
Poor calculation. Once again, the subject of "Europe" was little used by the candidates for the presidency of France. Their political advisors, tactical electoral experts and publicity advisors no doubt convinced them that the subject of Europe "did not bear fruit", either in terms of popularity or in terms of votes. Can one be sure of that? I remember a French minister who quit political life in his country for ten years to become president of the European Commission; he was therefore, according to the wisdom of party officials and publicists, completely "out of the game" among national public opinion. Except that it was later observed that he would have stood a good chance of becoming president of the Republic, had he agreed to stand as candidate. All his popularity, and esteem that surrounded him in his country of origin, he conquered in Brussels, fighting for a united Europe, and unfailingly trying to make it progress. Sure one cannot become the champion of Europe in a few weeks of electoral campaigning and nor can one acquire European credibility with an isolated speech not backed by constant and effective action. But for he who dares and truly believes in it, the subject of "Europe" may pay off in electoral terms. Jacques Delors proved that resoundingly in France, others have proved it elsewhere.
A little passion and conviction…In France, Jean-Marie Le Pen did not conceal his game nor his intentions: to begin with, "Get France out of the Europe of Maastricht", and thus the single currency. All the better: no ambiguity there. We also know that both the classical Right and Socialists are not short of convinced Europeans, ready to act. We have all known some. Look at the Socialist Party, the greatest loser in Sunday's elections. When we think that among its ranks it has Europeans of the likes and with the prestige of Jacques Delors, Michel Rocard, Pascal Lamy, Elisabeth Guigou, etc., one could have expected it to make of Europe one of the leading arguments of its political project in its electoral campaign. We are far from that. The situation is almost the same on the side of the classical right. On both sides, some rhetorical flights of fancy when it seemed right, but generally timid language, full of reservations and reluctance, justifying and excusing the prejudices and fallacious arguments which in all our States wither support for European construction. Already in view of the second round of the presidential elections, but especially in anticipation of the forthcoming campaign for the legislative elections, electoral strategists could possibly ponder on the question of whether or not they should inject a little passion and conviction into backing Europe, faced with the galloping demagogy of those who do not conceal their plan to destroy half a century of integration.
Reasons for hope. What is it that makes us hope that a leap of European conscience is possible? Two things: the first is that it could yield electoral benefits (decisive consideration for the political classes). The second is that we have already observed in the past a large disinterest, a certain disdain even, regarding European construction, as long as it was not assured and up and running; but as soon as it is disputed, as soon as it seems to be in peril, reason returns and the benefits of a United Europe are better perceived, including among public opinion. Only a sick mind can imagine France, or any other country in the euro zone, benefiting from pulling out of the single currency. The demonstration is in fact quite easy, for anyone of good faith. Globally, there is room for a more equitable view of European reality, including its institutions, so wilfully badly treated. But to defend Europe vigorously, its achievements and its objectives, they need knowing, believing in and proven that it is no artificial paladin, improvised for the sole goal of fighting the big bad wolf of the extreme right. I have, at the end of these fingers that are now typing these lines, a more precise and operational suggestion to make, that could bring the French together behind Europe. But I do not believe that that's my role, so I'll remain quite.
An absurd embarrassment. The second subject I would like to raise concerns the type of embarrassment that certain political movement feel faced with the demand for security, increasingly growing in strength from the citizens up to the authorities. This demand seems to embarrass quite a few, fearing that it could be interpreted as aimed at immigrants. That's absurd. The fact is that citizens' security represents the basis for any civil coexistence, and that insecurity especially affects the small folk. One has not to fear placing security at the top of the priorities, there where public opinion lies.
(F.R.)