@MagpulPony
Since 1 July 2020, Germany has been taking over the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) for six months. As a member of the European Green Party, I was reluctant at first, but after all I have heard so far, especially from the ranks of the Christian-Conservative Party (old friends with whom I studied together, but we were already on politically different sides at that time), I am sure that we are on the threshold of a new age.
It probably has something to do with the Corona virus (this crisis has really shaken a lot, not just the people and the economy, at least here in Europe). But in particular the nationalist measures taken so far (such as the immediate closure of the borders) have proved to be absolute stupidity. Of course, the fear of all European populations is understood, but a nation alone cannot and will not be able to defend itself against a global threat. Even our otherwise conservative parties here in Germany have understood this lesson. Citizens, especially in Germany (but probably also in France), are ready to take the idea of a common Europe to the next level. Of course, we are not talking about the United States of Europe. That would be ridiculous. But the common will of a federal community, which asserts itself self-confidently against the problems and enemies of this time, is clearly recognizable. Bulgarian and Greek sources in particular welcome this development. Of course, Europe is still a mess of different interests, but we are beginning to see that it is only by working together that we can assert ourselves against the patronage of the United States, the Russians and the Chinese.
Well, the British way I like to comment here only with a slight smile, without going into it further. I am well aware of certain members of this forum. Nevertheless, all the news from the last two days that I have got, gives me hope that we Germans in particular are finally aware of the fact that the time of the current status quo is over. In the face of such power monger politicians as Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping, we can no longer pretend that the only important thing is that the German economy is running. I am very pleased that this opinion has finally gained acceptance in the conservative parties of my home country. Our youth have long been protesting against these developments and are no longer willing to submit to the agenda of these self-declared superpowers. We parents didn’t raise them like that. We grew up with the American and the Russian as “partners”. But they have become aware of themselves that a world under the rule of these so-called superpowers can no longer be reconciled with the European self-image. I am very proud that our European young people are no longer guided by this illusion that the world as it was divided after the Second World War is a real one. And that more and more European citizens recognize and reject the influence of the Chinese as such. Europe is slowly awakening from its Sleeping Beauty.
And happier than anything else is the fact that my own Green Party has finally committed itself to its pro-European responsibility. Not a naïve eco-philosophy, but committed to the will and desire to unite the European countries under a common agenda, devoid of any false pacifism. We will do everything we can to strengthen Europe and to fight against those divisive elements, envies and enemies. So 2020 has something good after all. Here is a big middle finger against those pro-nationalist supporters who have always believed that we left-democratic supporters will let dance on our noses forever. We will fight them!
And we have more than enough friends in science, industry and politics, and especially in the youngest generation, to stop being declared weak by you. Europe will stand together or fall together. An EXIT is not a serious alternative. Europe will unite. Slowly, of course. But it’s democratic. And above all, economically. From north to south, from west to east. We’re doing everything we can to reposition ourselves. Stronger. United. More confident. The populists may always pretend from the rhetoric that they are the strong power, the only alternative. But that’s a lie that the Corona virus just denied. I am glad that 2020 does not seem to be just a lost year. In the background, it is precisely those groups that are committed to a common (especially economic) unity of Europe that unite.
Chaz has now been reduced to a heaping pile of filthy garbage. A slightly smaller one, anyway.
