The farewells of Pervenche and Alain
(B2) This European election is the symbol of the departure of several pillars of the assembly. Among these the MEP from the south-west Alain Lamassoure, bids farewell to the European Parliament, and his socialist alterego Pervenche Bérès. Two endearing representatives
They said their goodbyes together in front of a few friends, members of the European Parliament, journalists (including B2). A pretty intense moment. Because, between the two, there were passes of arms or real opposition, for example on the European Constitution, one saying 'Yes', the other saying 'No', but there was a community of passion and conviction about a certain Europe that needs to be reshaped. It is thus part of the memory of the European Parliament which is leaving, the first specialist in institutional questions and the budget, the second in the Euro and financial questions.
A Parliament that has conquered its power
« We spent 25 years of life together without knowing it began Alain Lamassoure, smiling at his words, in front of an audience of personalities and anonymous people. And to revisit in the company of all the assistance the last years " This Parliament fought for a name that did not have ". " Initially, it was not a legislative assembly but a discussion forum. He was limited to Western and Southern Europe, but he distinguished himself with his power alone by rejecting the budget, starting an episode of heated discussion with the Council. “This parliament, “ treaty after treaty, enlargement after enlargement, has conquered its skills ". If we compare it with all the democracies around the world, it has nothing to be ashamed of. " We have more skills. »
The qualities of the European Parliament
This parliament works well for two things. " There is a constructive spirit. Here, right and left work together to build compromises. Which is totally inconceivable in some countries, especially in France. In recent years, many laws have been passed by Pervenche and myself. Second, " there is a European spirit that drives us, the diplomatic courtesy that we maintain among ourselves, between nationalities and groups ". It has a " huge advantage. We don't waste our time reconciling. We tackle the root of the problems and the future from the outset, and not the past... "
A job half done
This work accomplished remains incomplete, there have been failures recognizes Alain Lamassoure. " The European Parliament has only half of the budgetary power. The effort to convince governments to give their own resources has not really been successful. But the essential point of regret remains with regard to the various French governments. " We are considered specialists in a remarkably boring and marginal subject. After forty years of parliamentarism, there is still no career for our most ambitious politicians. And to admit, half-joking half-seriously: Our secret dream to all was to be European commissioner. But it would not occur to a President of the Republic to appoint a MEP to the European Commission. As is the practice in some countries.
Don't let Europe down
These years on these benches almost taught me to drop bigotry and practice pragmatism adds Pervenche Bérès. It is " our first joint operation, it was time ". " You were the respected former prime minister, me the enfant terrible, in the words by Iñigo Mendez de Vigo. “And to conclude by paraphrasing an old tube of Cookie Dingler, she concludes” Don't let her down, she's not that fragile, ... Being a liberated Europe, you know, it's not that easy »
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
