An analysis of the current European situation from the perspective of communication and relevant perceptions need to be addressed. During the financial crisis of 2008, the European Commission preferred non-involvement, by technically explaining that the economy is the competence of the member states.
In
2020, after a slight hesitation, the European executive was at the front line
of the pandemic, even if it could "hide" again by saying that health
policy does not fall under the attributions of the European Union. However, they
decided to play the involvement card, and formed a strong front in relation to
the supply of masks and also regarding purchasing sufficient vaccines. The
leadership position chosen for Europe’s resilience and economic recovery was
also something that can be appreciated.
The
war in Ukraine has thrown the European Union into a new crisis, even if the
impact is still difficult to estimate. Lacking a common defense policy in the
true sense of the word, the EU looked unbalanced and weak, (thankfully) quickly
moving under the protective umbrella of the United States of America. European
coordination with regards to the Russian file was built as gradually as it
could, with complex discussions that still raise many questions about the
continent's monolithic unity.
The
high energy prices are undoubtedly causing the current crisis, and the European
Union must be at the control buttons. Of course, some member countries play
pragmatically, even to profit, and through the imposed taxes they want to fill
the national budgets ravaged by the Covid-19 crisis. Many governments' excuses
focus on the neighboring war, and if citizens become tired of this argument
they once again blame the EU for the current situation.
Therefore,
much is expected from this autumn and Ursula von der Leyen's game in terms of
communication with citizens. Charismatic as she is, the President of the
European Commission will most likely use the State of the Union intervention in
the European Parliament on September 14, 2022 as her new launching pad. Of
course there are two files that first need to be addressed: that of the
Conference on the future of Europe and that of the European Year of Youth. Both
were the strengths of her speech a year ago, but the results to date were
deeply disappointing. Much is expected in relation to the current energy
crisis, and hopefully the EU will once again get more deeply involved.
Revolting civil movements, such as Don’t Pay UK, have started to find
its ground in Europe as well, and can cause major shifts in the current
structures.
Dan
LUCA / Brussels
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