Brussels, 03/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - ProEuropa 2009 met at the European Parliament on Monday 2 March to promote the participation of young European candidates on electoral lists and launch its Brussels satellite. Only 10% of MEPs are under the age of 40, according to Alexander Alvaro (Germany, ALDE). Until now, ProEuropa has only existed in Paris where the association, sponsored by Jean-Louis Bourlange, former EPP-ED MEP, was set up on 28 January 2009. The association already has a membership of 200.
The majority of French delegations suffer from huge absenteeism, as well as a skills mismatch, lack of multilingualism and personal investment. Two thirds of French MEPs have a local mandate in addition to their mandate at the European Parliament, which means that they spend less time in Brussels or Strasbourg. Jacques Beltran explained that the French paradox means that an incredible amount of energy was used up during the French Presidency, while the European elections are provoking nothing more than an interest of political bargaining between the parties, rather than debate of the real issues and what subjects should be tackled.
ProEuropa's message is to stop considering the European elections and European Parliament as a punishment but rather, as a genuine contest and place of power.
Pierre Cartuyvels, the president of the ProEuropa satellite in Brussels, declared that the first mission of the new branch is to “get the message through in all member states” and benefit from its base in Brussels to promote this end. They aim to open satellites in all European Union countries. Mr Cartuyvels informed EUROPE that they had to “maintain the skills-base” by drawing on the experience of the older MEPs and “ensure renewal…by motivating young people” to become MEPs. The originality of ProEuropa's message is that it is addressed to all countries and parties. (E.M./trans/rh).