José Manuel Barroso's “Political Guidelines for the next Commission” was summarised in EUROPE 9969 and the full text of the document was widely distributed by the European Commission. On Monday, Mr Barroso will discuss the document with European Parliament political groups, after which, the Conference of Presidents of the Groups, will set a date for a vote at the plenary. An additional summary in this column would not provide our readers with any more information than is already available. In the meantime, however, Mr Barroso himself provided journalists with a reply to questions on the importance and goals of his document. It would be useful to shed some light on this matter.
Single document. Most of the political groups asked him to clarify his position on the different points they saw as being particularly important and some of the groups posed specific conditions on giving their support for his candidacy. Instead of providing each of the groups with a separate answer, Barroso explained that he thought it preferable to create an identical and comprehensive document for all the groups, so as not to give the impression of seeking their support by way of a rhetorical “captatio benevolentiae”. He will answer specific questions in meetings with each of the different groups.
Political guidelines do not constitute a programme. The guidelines do not constitute a “catalogue of objectives” or a list of the different action to undertake because Mr Barroso wants to “listen and develop dialogue”. He is also willing to “integrate the operational details” suggested, insofar as they are compatible with the general guidelines laid down. The new Commission's operational programme will, in any case, be established at an appropriate time by the College of Commissioners as a whole.
The “three main political families” are not mutually exclusive. Accomplishing a united Europe has mainly been the work of the three main political families: Christian Democrat; Social Democrat and the Liberals. Mr Barroso, however, is not counting on handing out certificates testifying to their “Good European Credentials” and underlines the very important contribution made by the British Conservatives to the creation of the single border-free market, as well as the Greens' contribution in raising awareness about ecology. The Commission is neither on the Right or Left - this distinction does not exist within the institution and the three “main families” do not exclude support from the others in creating European unity.
Support for the social market economy. The overture indicated in the previous point does not mean that the EU does not have a European economic model or that the EU should not defend this model in the world. Mr Barroso affirmed: “I know that these days it is fashionable to speculate about Europe's decline. I take a radically different view. I am convinced that now is Europe's moment, Europe's opportunity. I want to rekindle a passion for Europe, a new pride and feeling of connection between the EU and its citizens, based on my conviction that the EU with its social market economy is the route to a better future for us, our children and for the wider world”.
Equality between member states. According to Mr Barroso, the efficient functioning of the EU institutions is essential and “the Community method is the best way of defending equality between member states” and facilitating “effective solidarity” between them.
Helping citizens to understand Europe. According to Mr Barroso, “the EU institutions and member states have often failed to make clear what European action means concretely for citizens, what benefits Europeans gain from the single market, from regulations in the energy or telecoms sectors, from competition policy or from the Structural Funds. They are unaware of the rights that Europe guarantees them. But the rights only become a reality when those concerned have easy access to them. The Lisbon Treaty will give new opportunities to make this objective a reality”. The president added that in their forthcoming vote, Irish citizens should not ignore the advantages that participation in the EU has given them. Their country represents around 1% of European GDP. What it has obtained through Community and European Central Bank (ECB) policies and instruments provides a completely different dimension.
The timetable. Mr Barroso finds the importance attached to the date of the EP vote on the Commission president astonishing. Given everything that is happening in the world and public expectations, it is absurd to bicker over a timetable. Mr Barroso refuses to enter a polemic on this subject. He has simply said that he is at the Parliament's disposition and will address it when it so wishes. What counts, is creating a genuine EP-Commission partnership, in an effort to foster the Union's democratic credentials and effectiveness, which requires that the Commission is able to function as quickly as possible and use its powers to the full.
(F.R./transl.rh)