Casting error at the European Commission
(BRUSSELS2 *) We were told he was a clever politician, a fine strategist, a convinced European. The former Prime Minister of Portugal, called last June to take over as head of the European Commission from Romano Prodi, describes himself as a "moderate from the center right", refutes the label of "neoliberal » and repeats to anyone who wants to listen that he is « listening ». But since he took office last November, the reality has detached itself from this image of Epinal.
One hundred days later... a nuisance for Europe!
His enthronement was, it is true, marred by a fatal error. The stubbornness to keep Buttiglione as justice commissioner had provoked a first crisis. Was it necessary to be so ignorant of European balances not to have seen the positions stiffen not only on the left but also in the center and on the right? How could you not have jumped on this opportunity then, to obtain the appointment of other commissioners, a little more efficient, as any politician would have done? A few questions were beginning to bother us… Couldn't the man be above all a little soldier who couldn't leave the stuff of a little partisan Prime Minister? Didn't he remain the one who hadn't hesitated to bring together, in the Azores, a summit of the pro-war clan (Americans, English, Spaniards, Portuguese), which had not a little fueled the division between Europeans.
Other disturbing signs never tire of calling out. As soon as he arrived at the Berlaymont (the historic headquarters of the Commission, renovated at great expense), the new President of the European Commission drastically reinforced security around himself. The doors were locked. The journalists were confined to a strictly delimited area, contrary to the tradition of “transparency” which prevailed in Brussels. With a proven objective: to avoid any prying eyes and above all any embarrassing questions. And on the upper floors of the Berlaymont, it is difficult to perceive the clamor of the city. Too bad if it helps to reinforce his natural autism. But Barroso wants, above all, to be considered as a great.
Above all, Barroso wants to be considered a great
In the first political acts, then, we were able to grasp that solitary courage was not his forte. Instead of taking advantage of the failure of the Lisbon process, of finally giving a real project for Europe - understandable to everyone -, he produced one of the most bland and bureaucratic documents that Brussels has ever published. Everything that could represent a small upward constraint, a certain originality — the measurement of the performance of countries, the presence of social objectives such as poverty reduction — has been carefully erased. And the document is reduced to a kind of infamous mush, indigestible and soaked with a single idea: let's reduce the legislation, it can only harm businesses, let the market take its course… and governments. Only they know! Instead, we see the growth and multiplication of “green books”, communications and assessments of all kinds, a European year for this, the launch of an institute for this, and so on.
Instead of the desired union, there is division. To the point that doubt gnaws, even internally. Where has the European project gone? Is that really why we created a Commission, that we devote 1% of taxes to it? To increase divisions? Is it really a machine to produce paper that Europeans need?
The roadmap of a President of the European Commission is certainly not easy. You have to be a source of ideas by accepting to see the paternity of your "success" endorsed by others. You have to know how to handle the stick and be ready to serve as punch ball to the moods of one or the other. Finally, you have to know how to impose yourself in difficult times. A less than stellar role, closer to the self-sacrifice of a distance walker than an Olympic Games sprinter, but necessary. Without a mechanic on board, sometimes clever, sometimes strong, and imaginative, the community engine is running on empty. However, this role, the current President of the European Commission does not assume it, does not want it! Barroso loves himself too much for that. And, above all, would like so much to be loved. In this, the scene and the time are mistaken. Europe is not Mao's China. Unless he turns his back on his nature, Barroso certainly does not seem to be either the man Europe dreams of or, above all, the one it needs.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(* appeared in France-Soir - March 2005 download) NB: an article which did not seem to please the person concerned (or his entourage) and earned me the blacklisting for a few months (years) of invitations from the president.
