In this period of uncertainty for the European continent, Nicolas Schmit, candidate for President of the Commission, considers that the values of social democracy are more important than ever.
The European Union needs a bold social plan to revitalize the Green Deal. The Union’s migration policy must be reviewed, especially with regard to financial agreements with autocratic countries.
Here are some of the points raised by Nicolas Schmit, leader of the Social Democrats in the European elections and candidate for Commission President.
Priority social issues in the current uncertainty
After having been responsible for employment and social rights for 5 years under the direction of Ursula von der Leyen, Nicolas Schmit considers that although priority has been given to social issues in recent years, there is still much to do.
“I believe it is the right time for social democracy to regain the presidency of the European Commission. The Commission has now been led by conservative presidents for 25 years. It is time for change”.
For the candidate, in the very uncertain times we are going through, it is imperative to focus on social policy.
“We are emerging from a major crisis: the pandemic of COVID-19 is still recent, and the economy has still not fully recovered. Many European citizens have fallen on hard times due to inflation.”.
Nicolas Schmit adds: “I think we are very clear on social issues. We want to pursue a very active social policy. We must reunify our societies. It is about social cohesion, social justice”.
Agriculture and the Green Deal at the heart of the debates
Nicolas Schmit, who dreamed of becoming a farmer when he was a child, considers thatthere is an urgent need to reform the European agricultural model, by rethinking subsidies and reducing the bureaucracy inherent in the current system.
“Over the past decades, especially the last few years, we have seen that farmers’ incomes have declined. Their costs of production have seen considerable increases, but their incomes and prices have not reflected these increases.”.
“I think we need to think about the relevance of a purely market-oriented operation, because ultimately it penalizes a very large number of farmers. Small and medium-sized farmers face great difficulties”he adds.
For the social democratic candidate, Recent technological advances – artificial intelligence in particular – could provide support to farmers in the years to come.
He also considers it essential to combine social policy and the Green Deal: “I think we need to place more emphasis on the social dimension of the Green Deal, as well as its economic and industrial scope. This is part of our program”.
Nicolas Schmit adds: “There is also the issue of bureaucracy. If a farmer spends more time in the office than in the field, that is not normal. But, ultimately, farmers have every interest in the Green Deal is equitable, socially equitable and economically equitable”.
Making Europe competitive on the international stage
According to Nicolas Schmit, Europe does not give itself the means to fight against the domination of the United States and China in the new technologies sector.
“It is obvious that Europe needs greater investment capacity, because the United States and China are spending huge amounts of money. I think we need to do more, because otherwise Europe will not follow, it will not be able to be at the forefront in these sectors, as it should be”.
The candidate recommends target support and subsidies for technological developments, innovation and the transformation of procedures on the European continent.
“China is today an important player in the world economy, but it does not respect a certain number of rules. If there is a problem of dumping, as is the case with certain technologies, particularly green technologies, such as solar panels, we are waiting too long.”.
A trade war benefits no one, considers the candidate, who adds: “But at the same time, Europe must not be naive and we must defend our interests. Europe must be bolder and much more active and faster.”
Nicolas Schmit considers thatit remains essential to maintain dialogue with China.
“European companies continue to invest massively in China, and we cannot therefore say: ‘We invest in you, but you cannot invest here.’ It is always a question of reciprocity. And it is this reciprocity which must be put at the center of our relations with China”he explains.
What future for the European Migration Pact?
Nicolas Schmit admits to being quite reluctant towards the outsourcing agreements provided for by the Migration Pactrecently adopted by the European Union after two years of negotiations.
According to him, these agreements concluded with autocratic governments – including Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritania – have yet to prove their effectiveness.
“We are currently spending huge amounts of money, which we give to different regimes or governments. But we know that the Tunisian authorities, for example, treat refugees very badly. We also have a problem with Libya, which does not still has no real government”.
For the social democratic candidate, these outsourcing agreements must be revised to give the European Union greater control capacity.
“We also don’t know exactly how the money is being used. I heard there was a deal with Lebanon to keep Syrians out of Europe. Nobody knows exactly how the money will be spent in Lebanon, given the situation of the Lebanese government and the presence of Hezbollah and other influences”.
Concerning “the Rwandan model” recently implemented by the United Kingdom, Nicolas Schmit is categorical: “I am absolutely against it. This model goes against the fundamental rights which constitute the foundations of Europe. It is a question of non-respect for human dignity”.
How to respond to conflicts in Europe and the Middle East?
Faced with the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Europe must do everything in its power, declares Nicolas Schmit, who considers that any sign of weakness on this subject will be “an additional invitation to Vladimir Putin”.
“Europe is under threat and people do not realize the extent of the danger weighing on us. Vladimir Putin’s latest statements are a clear threat against Europe”he says.
“I always say: could you imagine Winston Churchill, in 1940, saying ‘I’m not sure I can resist the Nazis because I don’t know how to find funding’? No, of course, and yet this is the situation we find ourselves in.”.
For the candidate, Europe must now move up a gear, to increase the continent’s financial capacity to support and accelerate its defense and security capabilities.
For him, the situation is clear: “We are all on the border (with Russia), and I think this is an essential question – I would even say in a way an existential question – for Europe today. Because if Vladimir Putin wins this war, we will have many surprises, very dangerous surprises”.
“That’s why decisions need to be made now. It’s not about discussing what kind of defense we’ll need in the next ten years. We need to make that decision because the threat is here, now. It’s not in ten years, it’s right away, on a daily basis.”.
Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Nicolas Schmit is also in favor of a toughening of the European position vis-à-vis Israel’s operations in the Gaza Stripand especially in the town of Rafah.
“We must send a strong signal. There is currently a problem of double standards and this is not acceptable. And it is not only our young people who criticize us, but also many other parts of the world. I am therefore entirely in favor of a stricter approach.”.
A historic surge of the far right in Europe?
As the European elections approach, polls predict record results for the far right in many countries on the continent. For Nicolas Schmit, this situation is symptomatic of the uncertainty reigning in Europe.
“We are facing a war in Europe. This uncertainty, as well as the theme of immigration, are now at the heart of the debates. The far-right parties are playing on fear, they are offering nothing”.
“At a time when we have so many difficulties and problems, they would have a major impact on the functioning of the Union. Their conception of Europe is fundamentally different from ours, the social democrats”he adds.
For the candidate, it is unthinkable to “make an arrangement, deal or whatever with the far right”.
“Because the far right is intelligent, it will not give its votes for nothing. It will demand concessions on the way in which European policy will be defined”he specifies.
“We still have a few weeks ahead of us to show that it is not about fear, but about confidence”concludes the candidate.
The European elections will be held from June 6 to 9, 2024.
