Angela Merkel has called in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, solidarity, the rule of law and a European army. Respect for others and respect for their own interests are not opposed, was her Credo.
Under the Boos and between some of the right extreme and probably one or other of the British Ukip MEP, said Angela Merkel, the only unexpected message in her keynote speech at the European Parliament (EP): she pleaded for a comprehensive deepening of a common defence policy, in order to create at the end of a “real European army”. The could also be used within NATO. But, said the Chancellor: “The times where we were able to rely on others, are over. We need to take our destiny more in their own hands, if we want to survive.” Similarly, it has formulated the Chancellor since the election of US President Donald Trump on several occasions, but for the first Time it is now, together with Emmanuel Macron, that means also military independence.
Less Visionary, more Feasible
Apart from this dramatic step out of the comfort zone of German Foreign and security policy and Angela Merkel remained when feasible. And they recalled the common principles: “Europe can only work as a community of law, and, if all the right attention.”
Who hollow out the rule of law, press office cold, the civil society under pressure, threatening the rule of law within the European Union. This was a clear rejection of autocratic tendencies in Hungary, Poland and other EU countries. And a jab against Italy put in the note that those who were new debt without the Common currency to take into account also the principles of Europe.
It is a matter, Merkel said, “to overcome national egoism” to the common good will. And so they turned significantly against the new nationalist currents in Europe, which places the prerogative for each state in the foreground and the EU want to keep as small as possible.
Angela Merkel also Boos reaped for your speech, particularly from the right corner
For the unit
The Chancellor returned to your speech again and again to this point, actually, of the principles of European policy, but is increasingly ignored: “respect for others and respect for their own interests, are not opposites – on the contrary”. It is only together that the EU could be on the world stage is strong compared to China, India, and, where necessary, even the United States. You have understanding for different reactions in other countries, but the solidarity must be at the centre of the community: “unity and cohesion for the future of Europe is indispensable. That’s why Merkel has called for a “European security Council” and – as far as it goes – for the renunciation of the unanimity in EU decision-making.
Finally, the Chancellor promised the French President, in December, at the summit of the Euro-zone Reform meeting. But you don’t want a big jump, but the step tag. She also spoke out for a common digital tax, which should not only be implemented, however if an international solution is possible.
Merkel is refugee policy
Germany did not behave “perfectly,” said Angela Merkel, but that’s not your decision to accept refugees in 2015 – on the contrary: You have to understand late, how unsustainable the Situation for the millions of refugees from the civil war in the Camps of neighboring countries such as Turkey or the Lebanon. That is why many have made their way to Europe. And they challenged their adversary in the refugee policy: “We in Europe have taken since then, 1.5 million people, it will lead us into the inability to act?”
Almost in the same breath, you praised, but the strengthening of the European Agency for the border and coast guard, Frontex, the Turkey agreement and the new Africa-policy, with the EU now wants to further Migration through the help of on-the-spot. And finally, a word for posterity, The memory of the First world war had shown her once more, what happens “if there is no respect between the countries, ( … ), when communities – such as the League of Nations to fail at the time”. Nationalism and selfishness are likely to have in Europe will never again have a Chance.
Merkel’s party colleague, David McAllister, believes that in future there will be “tough discussions” in the EU
Much consent and some toxic rejection
The major party families in the European Parliament had few points of criticism of Angela Merkel’s principles and your speech on Europe. Philippe Lambertz from the Greens welcomed that you stressed European values. But he said the Chancellor should not preach solidarity, and then, as in the diesel scandal, national act. Since he wishes from Germany more political consequence.
Some of the right-wing populists reacted strongly to Angela Merkel, as Ryszard Legutko of the Polish PiS party. He accused the Chancellor, they stand for “jerk to the left in the European Parliament and the German Christian Democrats”. To said these and other allegations Merkel at the end quite simple: “There is a group in the EP, the want to solve the problems of European, and then others sitting here who think the nation-States, it can be better.”
“We have people who want to leave the EU”, also acknowledged Merkel’s party colleague, David McAllister, and so he not only meant the Conservatives in the UK. The disorders against Merkel had come from the far right corner of the Parliament, and we should “prepare for a hard fight in the future”. Merkel walked around confidently, but the mood in Parts of the EP could give a foretaste of the upcoming European elections.