LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Spring 2008

by Arjen Berkvens

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Sir,
It was refreshing to read Jerzy Baczynski’s views on the ways that newer EU member states feel about the political roller coaster that led up to last year’s deal on the Reform Treaty. He provided much food for thought over the differences between the opinions of political elites in eastern Europe and perceptions of events here in the west. But I think his conclusions about the political mood in older member states were wide of the mark. In particular, I want to take issue with his belief that “old Europe” is suffering from democratic fatigue and that our people are hostile to the idea of making the EU more efficient and more responsive.

Baczinski states that the “No” votes in France and the Netherlands in 2005 to the original constitutional treaty were seen by many “eurosceptic and populist parties in the newcomer states” as a bloc to further democratic development in Europe. He concludes that these “No” votes were a sign that older members of the Union had become hostile “towards the idea of making the EU institutions more responsive and efficient.” I totally disagree. I think the fears that western Europeans were expressing when they rejected the constitution were a complex mix, including worries about job security, increased migration and globalisation, along with concerns about a loss of national identity and the speed of EU enlargement. Last but not least, the “No” votes were a way for individuals to complain that they have no real influence on European policies.

It is perhaps to be expected that new and old member states misunderstand the democratic moods in each other’s countries, given our very different political histories. I would certainly agree with Baczynski that economic progress and political stability remain the most appealing features of EU membership for the new democracies in eastern and central Europe. Joining the Union was indeed a chance to “consolidate and protect their infant democracies” after the profound shocks to their societies and economies in the wake of the fall of communism. The hardships and disappointments suffered by so many citizens were only made bearable by the prospect of EU membership.

Under such harsh circumstances, it is no wonder that eastern Europeans took little interest in the real reasons why western voters rejected the constitution; we were, in a way, living on two different planets. However, if eastern Europeans now want to understand the problems surrounding EU integration and enlargement, they will have to come to terms with what really motivates their fellow EU citizens here in the west.

They therefore need to appreciate that, in older western democracies, Brussels is widely considered to be an impenetrable fortress of bureaucracy. Voters are disenchanted with the sheer complexity of the Union; they do not feel represented by European politicians and, more and more, they consider “Europe” to be an elitist project. True or false, this impression has led to widespread distrust of EU institutions.

However, that does not mean that western Europeans are somehow tired of democracy. What our citizens want is more European democracy, not less. Democratic fatigue does not exist in today’s European Union.