Thursday

28th Mar 2024

Merkel calls for new era in the EU

In her first major EU policy speech since becoming German chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Europe needs a new reason for its existence, more in tune with everyday concerns of EU citizens.

Speaking before German parliament, Mrs Merkel on Thursday (11 May) said "I believe it is about, no more and no less, finding a new reason to add to the historical foundation of the European Union".

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Get the EU news that really matters

Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

  • "We absolutely need the constitution to ensure the European Union is effective and capable of action" (Photo: CDU)

She said that people needed to be convinced that Europe was working for them, creating jobs and taking account of their security in the face of a growing terrorism threat.

"We must put citizens first" said the chancellor adding that it must be clear to them "that Europe makes things better" she said pointing to Europe's success at being economically dynamic, socially responsible and at safeguarding jobs.

Nowadays people are more concerned about everyday issues such as unemployment and slow economic growth, contrary to previous expectations about the EU, she indicated.

But in order for EU to be effective, it needs its constitution, Mrs Merkel argued, referring to the rejection of the document last year by French and Dutch voters as a "setback".

"We absolutely need the constitution to ensure the European Union is effective and capable of action," Mrs Merkel said.

"We need to think about how we make the constitution a success. I want the constitution, the German government wants the constitution and I think a majority of this parliament wants it too."

Referring to her country's turn at the helm of the EU during the first half of next year, the chancellor said "If it's not tackled before, you can be sure that the German presidency will focus on this".

But she cautioned against moving too quickly on the project in case the EU is put back in a situation where it "cannot move forward".

Mrs Merkel's speech is the latest in a series of speeches about how the bloc can pick itself up after a bruising year which saw the EU constitution fail, division over enlargement and bitter member state fighting over the future EU budget.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday said the EU had to win back its credibility before it could think about reviving the EU constitution.

"I am challenging national leaders. I am asking them: are you committed or not to this project of living together in Europe?", he asked.

The future of the EU theme is likely to stay in the headlines for much of the coming weeks with foreign ministers due to discuss it later this month and EU leaders taking a stab at the problem during a summit in June.

Ukraine slams grain trade restrictions at EU summit

Restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU could translate into military losses in their bid to stop Russia's war, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned EU leaders during their summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Difficult talks ahead on financing new EU defence spending

With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of ending any time soon, EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday (21 and 22 March) to discuss how to boost the defence capabilities of Ukraine and of the bloc itself.

Opinion

Why UK-EU defence and security deal may be difficult

Rather than assuming a pro-European Labour government in London will automatically open doors in Brussels, the Labour party needs to consider what it may be able to offer to incentivise EU leaders to factor the UK into their defence thinking.

Latest News

  1. Kenyan traders react angrily to proposed EU clothes ban
  2. Lawyer suing Frontex takes aim at 'antagonistic' judges
  3. Orban's Fidesz faces low-polling jitters ahead of EU election
  4. German bank freezes account of Jewish peace group
  5. EU Modernisation Fund: an open door for fossil gas in Romania
  6. 'Swiftly dial back' interest rates, ECB told
  7. Moscow's terror attack, security and Gaza
  8. Why UK-EU defence and security deal may be difficult

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersJoin the Nordic Food Systems Takeover at COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersHow women and men are affected differently by climate policy
  3. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  5. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  6. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?

Join EUobserver

EU news that matters

Join us