Weber (EPP) to Italy: reforms first, then you’ll avail yourself of the flexibility contained in the Pact

The first rule is “respecting rules,” than it will be possible to obtain all the facilitations allowed by treaties, “which no one has asked to be changed.” The negotiations with socialists on the program? “There’s nothing to discuss on this issue.” Could the High Representative of the Union come from Italy? “It shall be someone able to start working immediately, with no need for learning.”

Manfred Weber is a cheerful person: the powerful head of the European People’s Party in Strasbourg blushes when uncomfortable or annoyed, still his face remains friendly. A true hawk indeed, bred in the CSU nest – neighbouring with Merkel’s CDU nest. And Angela Merkel herself put the first political group at the European Parliament in the hands of this kind but firm man.

We met him earlier this week for this interview, together with a small group of European journalists, in his new “President’s office”, shelves still empty. Just some collectors’ beer mugs: he’s Bavarian, indeed.

Let’s start from the most compelling meeting: will the European Council be able to indicate the candidate for the European Commission next Presidency?
“I expect a formal vote to take place on Friday, still there won’t be any blocking minority: our candidate will be approved then. There’s no ‘B’ plan. I know, there has been a bit of confusion lately, because socialists wanted an agreement of the total package of appointments, then we decided to proceed step by step: after Juncker, the first test for the agreement between them and us will be the election of the European Parliament next President, Martin Schulz. Then, as we discussed earlier, we will go on bit by bit in the meetings with Herman Van Rompuy, this is the best way to have things done. Thus, immediately after Parliament’s vote on Juncker, that is, middle July, we will hold a new European summit to complete the package, with the European Council and the High Representative of the Union. I see things are going on well.”

Still, London is not sending encouraging signs…
“I had a meeting with David Cameron in Downing Street for over an hour, and I explained him which is the Parliament’s position on Juncker: he is our candidate, we’ve been voted on this and we are not stepping back. Then, we have to take into account that several requests made by London are contained in the program, in the document Van Rompuy has prepared. We all are making our best to get Cameron on board with us.”

Let’s get back to the ‘package’ you’re refining in July. Is it possible for an Italian to become the new High Representative?
“Matteo Renzi asked for that post. Currently, Europe is facing several, troublesome crises, our hope is that the candidate should be able to start working ‘from day one’ because there’s no time for learning how things work, we need results. Europe has a role in the world, in some areas it is seen as a reference point, hence I’ll say it again, the candidate should be able to act since the very first day. The choice will depend on the European Commission next President, in any case. Then, there are other important posts to be covered: as EPP, we are asking for the Economic Affairs Commissioner to be also the President of the Eurogroup. Spain asked for that position, we’ll see…for sure, that place has to be covered by a solid Member State into the euro area. For the European Council Presidency we need someone from a solid Member State into the euro area too. Then, there’s the issue of Central Europe: they cannot be left waiting on the side-lines, and I know Poland asked for the Energy Commissioner…there’s still much to do.”

Let’s keep our focus in Italy. From Rome to Paris, and in general from all S&D leaders, ‘more flexibility’ is the request made for supporting recovery and relaunching employment…
“We need to be very clear on this. The crisis has shown how crucial it is to be extremely careful with debt. It has also made clear that it would be unacceptable for little countries such as Greece or Portugal to comply with the criteria we decided in Brussels all together, and for big countries such as France, not Italy so far – they have no deficit issue – not to be submitted to the same criteria. It’s a matter of principle. We are negotiating a program with the socialists, and PES said they do not want to amend rules, they want to put ‘flexibility’ on the negotiation table: still, it is already clear in the Stability and Growth Pact what flexibility means, then there’s not much to discuss about. Rules are clear, there will be a political debate, but rules are there.”

Well, what about Italy?
“We have great expectations for Renzi. If he fails, we cannot see any other possibility in Italy right now. Then we need to help him, Italy is too important for the Union, and we can help him keeping the navigation bar on its place. If we saw the reforms on which he’s working – as the reforms of the Upper House, of the electoral law, of the economy – reaching their target, then we could allow the flexibility he’s calling for, but keep in mind there are no different approaches for different Member States. We are going to say this to France too: ‘what else are you asking for? You had a two-year postponement to adjust your accounts, then do it.’ It is time for citizens to receive the answers they need, and the crucial point it that rules should be respected. The game is over on debt, you cannot live on money you do not own.”

Which will be the innovation brought by the new Commission?
“The forthcoming Commission should have more respect for national competences. All over the years, the Berlaymont has been widening its action, in too many sectors. It is necessary to get more subsidiarity – for family law, abortion, legal migration…these are national issues, and they must be managed as such. Here, as a Union, we’ve got lots of things to follow already.”

Well, do you think Juncker, former Luxembourg PM for 18 years and President of the Eurogroup during the years of austerity, should represent the innovation, the future of the European Union?
“Definitely. I talked to him recently, I see he’s very committed, concentrated in reaching European targets. He’s independent, with the necessary experience and the right ambition for making it, and he’s symbol of stability at the same time.”

The challenge is remarkable this time, it’s not ‘just’ about governing Europe, but also being able to cope with anti-European movements, with millions of citizens who voted for eurosceptic parties, even anti-Europe parties…
“We bear a huge responsibility, in fact. In the following five years, we will have to get tangible results on growth, subsidiarity, migration. We cannot hesitate, we need to act and reach our targets.”