The European Union is no longer running smoothly, says Jürgen Großmann. The centrifugal forces towards the extremes at the edges are steadily increasing. The European elections on June 9 are an opportunity to regain the necessary grounding of the center.
“EUROPE MUST GROW UP”
By profession, I am an engineer. That is why I view the election to the European Parliament on June 9 like a physical equatioon of forces: On one side, there are centrifugal forces pushing towards the edges or even beyond the edge into nothingness. On the other side, there is the gravity of the center, the grounding of the middle. But while forces in physics tend to balance each other and stabilize the overall system, the political equation of the European Union (EU) unfortunately looks different at the moment. A severe imbalance has arisen, and it threatens to increase – in the direction of radicalism, naivety, and absurdity.
The EU is in a structural and ideological crisis, which is also self-inflicted
No doubt: European integration has proven to be “without alternative” for us Germans, especially in terms of security, political integration, and economic stability. It has brought us lasting peace, reconciliation, mutual understanding, and increased prosperity. But the EU is in a structural and ideological crisis. This crisis is largely self-made. In the 32nd year after the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, which founded the EU in 1992, institutional Europe feels lifeless. It seems to me that the EU has distanced itself far from the realities of its citizens through many of its public initiatives and statements in recent years. It does not reflect the realities of most Europeans when officials and politicians mainly focus on demanding political lip service like “climate protection” and “diversity”. It contradicts common sense to get lost legislatively in detailed supply chain regulations or diplomatically in “feminist foreign policy”. The rampant “subsiditis” and the monetary redistribution between the north and south of the continent have not only led to an excess of lobbying. They have encouraged a reckless laxity in the budget discipline of many member states. Germany cannot completely exempt itself from this criticism. On top of all this, it is extremely counterproductive when EU parliamentarians and commission members, through selfish actions, project the image of a corrupt, overreaching superstate with a self-serving mentality. Meanwhile Europe’s most pressing problems – such as the migration crisis with more than a million asylum applications in 2023 alone, rising crime, and crumbling infrastructure – remain largely unresolved.
The European Parliament needs individuals of integrity who still associate ideals with their office
The result is disenchantment with politics in Brussels. Democratic Europe is in danger of losing its democrats. Extremists, populists, and the proponents of further “exits” à la Britain are filling the gap. Only the voters can lead the EU out of this crisis – with a realistic blend of pragmatism and renewed enthusiasm for the orginal European idea. Europe must and can find solutions. We only need the political will, expressed in parliamentary seats and in the competent staffing of the commission. Four starting points: First: In our voting decisions, we should choose moderate, honest individuals who do not see Europe as a welfare organisation and still associate ideals with their office. Second: Let’s bring into the parliament and the commission people who have experience in business management and an ear for the concerns of the market economy. Third: Let’s ensure that the unfortunate Europeanisation of national debts stops, so that the budget discipline of member states and Brussels can be strengthened again. Fourth: And, most urgently: Let’s remember that Europe needs an independent, credible security and defense policy. Security includes effective protection of the EU’s external borders as well as coordinated military deterrence beyond NATO structures. The world order is changing rapidly, and we will no longer be comfortably exempt from self-responsibility for peace under the protection of American nuclear missiles.
“Moderation, focus on essentials, and steadfastness are attributes that Europe needs now.” Jürgen Großmann
An incapable-to-defend Europe, however, faces real threats. A newly designed European nuclear shield is seriously worth discussing. Si vis pacem para bellum – if you want peace, prepare for war, is a timeless truth. As the European Union, we are now in a phase of adolescent immaturity and confusion after a sheltered childhood. The unanimity requirement enables blackmail. It is high time that Europe grows up. Moderation, focus on essentials, and steadfastness are attributes of adulthood – these are the qualities of a stable physics of political power that I would like to describe. Let’s strengthen the gravity in this election! Let’s renew the power of the center!
The original article is published in German in the Handelsblatt.
The Author:
Jürgen Großmann is the sole shareholder of the steel group Georgsmarienhütte, chairman of the board of trustees of the RAG-Stiftung, and former CEO of RWE AG.
This text is part of a series of contributions by German entrepreneurs for the European elections, published by Handelsblatt in cooperation with United Europe.