Restart the European construction from the foundations

Since I observe you from Slovakia, dear fellow-countrymen, allow me to tell you that our negative gesticulation with respect to Europe takes the people I meet here strongly aback. They really wonder whether our “no” was directed to them; a quick clarification will be needed here.

We are told that the voice of the people has spoken. But it is necessary to draw the attention of the people to the bad image of the French in Europe, an image resulting from our deplorable diplomacy and to our mediocre meritocracy. Over the recent years, we have abundantly trampled on the pride of the Turks, directly insulted the Polish, humiliated the smaller European countries several times and manhandled the British with our favourite weapon: the Paris-Berlin axis. The Dutch “no” is for a part due to our erratic behaviour: on the question of the hunting regulations as on the limitation of the budget deficit, France is the first one to infringe the rules that she promoted and made others adopt.

And now we seem to be turning our backs on the ten new countries. Mr Jean-Claude Juncker was even « ashamed » by it. Let us come back to our senses! Who will want to work with such an unpredictable partner, insensitive to the general interest and to the requests of its partners, closed to the ideas that do not come from his own culture, incapable to speak foreign languages, specialist of the “power drive” and of the fait accompli? Can France claim European leadership in these conditions? The recent European summit shows the opposite. The genius of France - to borrow the expression just used by Dominique de Villepin - at this very moment, it is the art to get into rows with the other European nations and generally speaking with our allies. The “no” to the referendum reminds us appropriately that the European Union is not the United States of Europe. Not so long ago, the countries of Europe were at war against one another. Our cultures, our interests are not naturally convergent. That fact was recently heavily underlined about Turkey, but the same is true of most of our partners: what have we culturally in common with Poland? The French society is marked by the religion wars and the ensuing secularism, and unanimously rejects the flamboyant brand of Catholicism that is so essential to the Polish national identity. Currently studying Slovak, a West Slavic language close to Polish, I can testify that language won’t bring us any closer. In terms of economic interests, like all formerly communist states of central Europe, Poland is in a state of mind where growth is paramount and must be obtained by maximum liberalisation. And if I may ask, what do we have culturally in common with the Brits, this other deeply religious and viscerally liberal country, where the Left seems closer to the United States than our Right? Neither language, nor economic policy, nor other political ideas. I don’t need to carry on with this list. There is no « natural » European convergence the French could rely on, except maybe between French-speaking regions and possibly between some Latin countries like Italy, the « Latin sister ».

But building Europe means precisely making the effort to overcome cultural barriers, not trying to ignore them. The first condition of an understanding between independent nations, as of an understanding between free adult individuals, is dialogue and trust. Dialogue is based on mutual respect and listening, a basic know-how we obviously still need to master. In order to do that, we have to count on initiatives like the one in Caux (conference “a heart and soul for Europe”, see www.caux.ch). But it will be necessary to be imaginative and daring in order to bring a new spirit into Europolitics.

P.S.: how odd that you don’t seem to hear much about the alternative ideas of the former leaders of the “no” campaign. I hope they are taking the full measure of their irresponsible behaviour.