There are
only a few days left in 2012 – a year that proved, as anticipated, a year of
changes, both in the context of the financial crisis and political events. As usual,
it is nice to take stock at the end of the
year. Not so much in order to account for past events, but rather to be able to
determine future priorities as accurately as possible.
European Perspective
The
European Parliament elected a new leader in January: German Social-Democrat MEP
Martin Schulz.
Presidential
elections in spring 2012 meant a change for France. Moreover, Hollande's
election meant a change in high level European debates, and it broke the famous
couple "Merkozy".
Victory for socialists during elections in 2012 is not unique – the European
left increasingly gained credit from citizens who showed a tendency to shift,
their discontent was exacerbated by the financial crisis that persisted this
year.
The debate on the euro and the eurozone rescue has developed - leading to
discussions not only about a fiscal union in Europe,
but even political union. Creating the United
States of Europe has
begun to be more than a mere utopia.
The
aforementioned crisis and the following debate exposed that major European
powers still feel nationalistic, making it hard to make decisions with
major implications for the future of the EU. In this context, the United Kingdom
retains its "island attitude".
At the end of this year, writing history, the European Union was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize. However, organising the event revealed the dilemma of who
should receive the prize - who
leads the EU?
Romanian Perspective
2012: a
year of many important political events on the national level. After a motion
of censure was approved this spring, Victor Ponta became head of the Romanian
Government. The unquestionable victory on December 9 of the ruling coalition in
Romania,
USL, strengthens the European Left.
Dan LUCA / Brussels