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Citizens and referendums matter!
David Lundy - 03.11.2006 15:54
"We have decided to continue with the Constitution ratification process" - Jean-Claude Juncker, EU summit, Brussels, 16 June 2006.
June 2006
Despite the above quote from the Luxembourg Prime Minister, an optimist might say that the fact that the 'period of reflection' dominated discussion at the recent EU summit agenda is evidence of an acknowledgement that citizens and referendums genuinely matter. The 'reflection' announced by the European Council after the victory of the NON and NEE to the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands was something of a radical departure for Europe's political leaders. One would be forgiven, however, for thinking that time is merely being bought before an attempt will be made to push the same scheme through…
Reassuringly, such an attempt, whether it occurs in two, three or ten years would be likely to fail. In France, the discussion surrounding the Constitutional Treaty drew in previously apathetic citizens from all sectors of society, absorbing them into the debate. Issues surrounding the implications of EU and national governments' response to globalisation came to prominence and the extent of the discussion on such issues demonstrates how the French ‘no’ was, above all, a ‘no’ to the neoliberal economic policies that dominate the European political landscape and demand public subservience to market forces.
EU citizens seek assurances in response to the challenges of globalisation
The Constitution and a mistrusted European political set merely offered largely institutional changes while citizens sought alternatives and assurances on the future economic and social direction of the Union. Similar debates were seen (albeit to a lesser extent on economic and social issues) in the Netherlands and in other Member States producing a rare substantial challenge to the current mainstream European consensus and its inherent economic principles. Certainly, opposition to the advance of free market capitalism is not the only reason for the present EU impasse but to put it down to a form of xenophobic nationalism, as some senior politicians have done, is to overlook the key role played by social and economic issues. Simply, the existing European common market is not providing citizens with an appropriate response to the challenges of globalisation.
This Commission cannot articulate a vision and advance a line of reasoning which even vaguely echoes that of the Left. Its fundamental values are definitively rightist. Mainstream left and social democratic organisations that endorsed the constitution and are integrated into policymaking clearly have little or no influence and must seek a way to reposition themselves as critical outsiders.
Reviving the European project
This resistance to neoliberal ideology and the attainment of a central role in any new constitutional project should be the central aim of a new, pro-European, left-wing that seeks a progressive alternative to the present nature of European integration. Mainstream political forces must be forced to accept real changes not only institutional ones to break the current deadlock and revive the European project. The new European left demands a macroeconomic agenda that promotes sustainability, employment, social inclusion, and equality.
The gap between policy and citizens seems to be getting bigger. With this in mind - it seems high time that European policymakers focused on placing citizens and not the "market" at the heart of the European project.
Words are not enough. A communication campaign will not break the impasse in the current mood of frustration among citizens with regard to European institutions.
Let the real debate begin.
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