Strengthening the EU at a Time of Upheaval Means Voting for Its Backers

Ursula Plassnik: What makes Europe strong? Where do we need to improve? You have experienced the EU on a daily basis, not just in speeches. Let’s begin this conversation with Europe’s citizens. According to the Eurobarometer, 70 per cent want to vote in June. What interests them most? The future of Europe is what they want to discuss, to hear about. Defence and security, economy, combatting poverty.

Jean-Claude Juncker: Almost an entire continent called to a parliamentary election – quite an impressive event! But we must recognise that alongside the European believers out of conviction in the noble sense of the term, some, unfortunately, participate in the election for purely domestic political reasons, to punish the ruling parties in their country or to strengthen the opposition. Will we have a 70-per cent turnout? Well, I have some doubts, but it would be nice and desirable.

Maybe those who have objections to the EU in concrete terms won’t necessarily vote for political parties that have nothing to offer but the destruction of the EU. Voting is done because one stands for something: for improvements to what exists, for changes, for corrections. A high voter turnout will hopefully support the builders and not those who threaten Europe with a wrecking ball.

I hope so, too. However, within the broad spectrum, some parties are running to destroy the EU from within. We must fight against these forces coming primarily from the far right. It’s not enough to crush them in speeches. No, we must also explain to the voters favouring them that if these extreme forces were to take over in individual EU countries, what would Europe look like then? We must take the agendas of these parties seriously. Just imagine for a moment if the policies of these parties became the politics of Europe. What would Europe look like then? What would be left of Europe?