Opinion.

The European elections would seem to be turning into a battle between two great images of Europe: on the one hand is the image of the usurping juggernaut that Eurosceptics emphasize; and on the other hand we have the image of the extensive federal state that the European federalists propagate. However, both images are strikingly similar. They look upon Europe as a new state: a new state with full powers.
The Eurosceptics simply want to dismantle this state until a mere rump remains, ensuring little more than an economically safe environment. The Federalists, at the other extreme, want Europe to be fully equipped, with increased competences and therefore also more power for the European Parliament.

Are these the only two images that we have?
Are these the images that we are looking for?
Do these images respond to European reality?
These are vital questions which demand a critical reflection on today’s Europe .

Europe is still a grand experiment in diversity. Indeed, Europe is characterized by a rich diversity of nations and regions. At first, we think of languages and landscapes. But it is much more than that. It involves a rich diversity of social systems, economic development, of approaches to social cohesion and to innovation in governance. Each country and each region has sought and continues to explore its own path.

Only then does Europe enter the picture. Which Europe do we want? A Europe that sees diversity as an asset or a Europe that strives for a homogeneous continent?
The economic crisis has drawn particular attention to the latter. We are all on the same financial and economic treadmill. The pressure not to be different is enormous. Every year each country receives its report on how to get into line economically and socially.

A homogenized Europe does not simply break with its rich diversity but also with the social purpose of that diversity. Each European country has tried to promote the well being and prosperity of its inhabitants in its own way. We can see this rich diversity in the development of social provision, in the implementation of human rights and more specifically of workers’ rights. The image of the homogeneous Europe is threatening that provision and those rights. Numerous reports by international organizations also show that our social systems are being increasingly degraded. This homogenized Europe also marks a rupture in our democratic progress. Increasingly, economic and fiscal measures are taken quite independently of any democratic debate in the Member States or at European level. Is this the image of Europe that we want ?

This is the image that the Eurosceptics want. A Europe à la carte, but made homogeneous in terms of social decline. The European federalists also want a homogeneous Europe, albeit a more social one, and where the lines are drawn in Brussels. A strengthened European Parliament is supposed democratically to legitimate the whole process. However, it is doubtful whether the alienation of the citizen can be remedied In this way.

We need a different vision for Europe. This is a vision that shows the rich diversity as an asset and as a vehicle for progress. It is a vision that focuses above all on sustainable social and democratic progress. This is not the image of a usurping behemoth or of a new state . It is another model that we need,a model inspired by an enriched definition of subsidiarity. This is not a Europe à la carte or a Europe without direction. On the contrary .

This is a vision of a Europe that encourages Member States and regions to advance socially, sustainably and democratically. This is an encouraging and enabling Europe. This is a Europe that imposes no maxima, but encourages Member States and regions to do better. This is a vision that emphasizes an enriching competitiveness in the continuing endeavour to do better. A rich competitiveness enriches our diversity. This is an image of Europe that codetermines our future. Not a non-committal governance, but an engaged governance.

It is a vision of Europe that puts social progress and the fight against poverty back on the top of the agenda. A Europe that screens its measures through the lens of social progress and, if necessary, modifies those measures to ensure that progress.

It is also a Europe that provides Member States and regions with the ability to move forward socially, sustainably and democratically. To this end, it is necessary for regions to strengthen their own economic and social potential . This is called “endogenous development”. Regions develop according to their own characteristics, but in a network of learning from best practice and sharing that practice with other regions. Regions help each other and Europe provides support and encouragement for this network of learning. This would then generate an enriched, characterized by mutual encouragement and cultural cross-fertilization.

It is a Europe that is able to strengthen itself democratically; a Europe that develops and extends social and civil dialogue. It is also a Europe that has an strengthened European Parliament, and is in constant dialogue with social and civil society partners, with regions and cities, and with its citizens.

This is more than an vision. It is a vehicle for daily governance and for dialogue with other continents. The beggar-thy-neighbour competition that produces social decline must be reversed. Europe must challenge the world to do better. Step by step, with taxes on socially or environmentally unsustainable production processes, this Europe would challenge the world to do better.

These are images that we have developed through an intense collaboration between civil society organizations, trade unions and experts from thirteen European countries. It is a provocative and challenging vision which is required if we wish to combat poverty and inequality. A challenging vision that develops cooperation in diversity as a vehicle for greater social equality, sustainability and democracy.

These are images that we’ve sought for in vain in the programmes of political parties. The two prevailing images evoke today resistance. Understandable, because they do not reflect the rich diversity and the demand for more welfare, greater sustainability and participation.

The ” Alliances to Fight Poverty ” will present this enriching vision on the 13th of February to European civil society organizations, to the different European parliamentary groups and to ordinary citizens. They too will be invited to enrich their image of Europe