Closer Europe
Jordi Pujol
Editorial / February 01, 2012
Sometimes in these editorials we have said that though the current European crisis is serious and perilous, it can also have positive consequences. There is the danger, for example, that the euro and the European Union will emerge from it in a bad shape,resulting in a loss of economic and political weight in the world. That would entail a loss of wealth and welfare. Yet the crisis might also help and push Europe to make a great leap forward towards closer integration and closer unity. And eventually, towards a stronger Europe with a greater capacity to exercise influence and stimulate renewed growth.
Mrs Merkel recently remarked: “We will only pull through with a closer Europe”. What is needed is “Political Union”. That is, “we must be willing to cede gradually more powers to Europe”. She added that “The Court of Justice of the European Union should be given the powers to control the budgets of the states”.
This, if realised, would signifya major change. It would probably not lead to a United States of Europe according to the North American model because Europeis much too diverse, and has been for a thousand years. This fact also has many positive aspects. Europe, the EU, could eventually have a consistencythat would greatly increase its efficiency in two ways: through economic and social developmentand an influence in the world. Those who have always dreamt of a United Europe will revel at this prospect.
Europe must –and can – achieve this while safeguarding two basic aspects. One is that of national identity, which means losing sovereignty without any posing a risk to collective personalities. That is, the Estonians and the Dutch want to be European, but they still want to be Estonian and Dutch. Just as the Catalans want to be Catalans. And a closer Europe does not prevent this,in principle. The problem is and will be Spain. Moreover, the welfare state should be maintained. It’s a feature that accords the highest social and human quality to Europe. A positive point of reference for the world. A European pride that can be maintained it if it is adjusted adequately.A closer Europe does not threaten the system. Quite the opposite, precisely because guaranteeing the welfare state requires more discipline. As the Northern European countries have demonstrated.
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However, neither administrative procedures nor technical agreements can achieve this alone. It calls for a social ethos and political praxis to attain the balance between the loss of sovereignty that doubtless will occur and the respect for European diversity.
Naturally some countries will have more sway than others – and it’s only right that this continues, as there will always be a need for leadership -, but it will also be necessary to seek, as we said, a balanced way to go about it. A group of German economists speaking of the Franco-German Friendship said that its slogan should be “führen, nicht herrschen”, meaning direct or lead but in no way order. This means that the strongest states of Europemust make an effort to balance forces, interests, etc.,and be conscious of their responsibility towards all European countries.
It likewise compels the less developed countries to exercise discipline andtake steps to surmount their own flaws, often deeply ingrained in their societies. We must avoid at all costs the Spanish notion – andthat of other southern countries - that “solidarity is paid only with third-party assets”. This is rejected outright by Germany and other northern countries, including France. And they are right, since this cunning ploy will not foster a strong Europe.
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All this is at stake on a state level. Although it has consequences on all levels. And, as such, it also affects Catalonia and her self-government. If EU states must submit to a stricter budgetary disciplinewith respect to Europe, logically they will be more demanding regarding compliance of the internal regulationsof each state. Without internal discipline, they will not be able to respond to Brussels. This is already happening. By arguing that it must conform to the rules of Brussels, Madrid is already enforcing internal discipline. This will impact on Catalonia. And on the other autonomous regions and on the city councils. It will happen across Europe.
This would not be harmfulfor Catalonia if the Spanish system of autonomic fundingwere equitable. If it were fair for Catalonia. But the current 8% Catalan fiscal deficit will eventually cripple her. In other words, any increase in discipline, from Brussels to the last town council, requires an overall effort of fairness. And it further underpins the call for a fair pact between Spain and Catalonia.
