The five major projects of the Juncker Commission

(BRUSSELS2) The new European executive, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, has taken office now. The Luxembourger and his team of 27 commissioners will probably not really benefit from a grace period. The challenges abound. Five major projects are open...

First project: the economic crisis. The new President of the Commission has promised a package of 300 billion euros of investments giving himself until the end of December to present a detailed plan. But how this sum will be financed is still a big question mark. Another challenge: to reconcile the activists of the recovery, led by Rome and Paris, and the proponents of rigor, like Berlin or Helsinki. Amateur of compromise, to your knitting!

2^e major project: energy. The Commission wants to fight against global warming. Laudable goal. But beyond that, it is a question of making the energy sector one of the vectors of recovery. We must create an "Energy Union", plan joint purchases, diversify sources of supply, increase the share of renewables and promote energy savings. Extensive program!

3rd major project: immigration. We must strengthen the fight against illegal immigration, all around Europe, provide the Frontex agency, responsible for border protection, with new capacities. All this without a penny more. We must also succeed in attracting the “best”, developing a “blue card”, valid throughout Europe, like the American “green card”. Sensitive !

4^e project: relations with Russia. This is the main “external” challenge of the new Commission. Russia is not just a troublemaker in the Ukrainian conflict. It is also, and above all, one of the main economic partners of the European Union. And, for some countries, such as Finland or Germany, the loss of this market is difficult to replace. How to renew relations with a "partner" who has also (again) become an "adversary"? Difficult !

5^e major project: reconnecting with citizens. This is undoubtedly the most important issue of the next 5 years. At a time when disenchantment is general, giving back to Europeans the desire to believe that Europe can be the solution and not the problem, is more necessary than ever. " We should not Europeanise every little problem in the EU but focus on the important issues repeats Jean-Claude Juncker willingly. Holy challenge...

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

* Article published in Ouest-France this weekend