Barroso, the Christian Democrat, strikes back at French critics: “Certain left wing nationalists use the same language as the far right”

One of President Holland’s Ministers defined it as “fuel” for the National Front Party and for Beppe Grillo
President of the Commission: “It is useless controversy that qualifies only those who make it”

There’s controversy about the attack on the European Commission started yesterday by a spokesperson of the French government. Arnaud Montebourg, Minister of Industrial Renewal, declared on France Inter radio that José Manuel Barroso is the “fuel of the National Front (extreme French right, editor’s note) and Beppe Grillo.” The statements were in response to the comments by the President of the Commission, who defined the request from Paris for a cultural exemption on audiovisuals for negotiations on the EU-USA free trade agreement as ‘reactionary’. “I think the main cause of growth in the National Front is linked to how the EU uses considerable pressure on democratically elected governments,” added Montebourg, complaining about the fact that Barroso “says ‘all those against globalization are reactionary.’”

And the reply came today with a caustic Barroso, who returned the accusations received: “I still have great respect for culture, for France and for Europe – he said – but what I don’t like is to see that some ‘nationalists’ and left wings make the exact same arguments as the extreme right when they are talking about economic reform, free trade, globalization and Europe.” For Barroso “this controversy is absurd” and based “on misinformation;” it concerns “useless controversy that qualifies only those who make it.” This is because, says the President, “regarding the cultural exemption, my suggestions were misinterpreted. I always said for me it is sacred, that you should not commercialize culture.” Plus in Europe “the Commission is the institution that does more to defend cultural diversity; it is thanks to us that there is the MEDIA program that supports producers, directors and distributors of cinema in Europe” continued Barroso, who also threw out another punch at the French: “They will not get very far by attacking Europe and trying to turn it into a scapegoat for their problems.”