Di Rupo: “Use EU elections to explain Europe to citizens”

from the correspondent in Mons – In Belgium, like everywhere else, there is a need to bring citizen-voters closer to the European Union and explain its meaning, and importance. Because there is so much at stake in the early June elections. The next Parliament and Commission will have to continue the green and digital transformations initiated in this legislature that is coming to an end and recalibrate policies. Elio Di Rupo, president of the Walloon Region and former prime minister of Belgium, opens the work of the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities with a thought for the Europe to come. “We must use these European elections to explain to the citizens how the European Union works and what it does”, he stressed. His suggestion applies especially to local administrators because it is on the ground that the difference is made.

“We must explain where we get the money we use” for services, policies, and actions to support everyday life, and “explain where this money ends up,” Di Rupo added. He is convinced that this is the key to defeating anti-European, Euro-skeptical forces, and those who profess the religion of ‘alone is better:’ A reference to those in Europe who would like to downsize the European Union and those in Belgium who would like less of Belgium, which of the European Union is a founding state.

Di Rupo acknowledges that “there are separatist forces,” those that, especially in the Flanders, would like an independence that is easy to promote but not obvious in its practicality. There don’t seem to be secession scenarios on the horizon for now because “I believe that at the population level, there is a majority to hold the country together.” This balance could crack, however, if things go wrong. That is why Wallonia is among the signatories to the call for a new cohesion policy tailored to the regions that the European Committee of the Regions (COR) made at the Mons summit.

What is being asked of the next Commission is a green transition that is “fair for all citizens and
industrial sectors,” which does not produce differences or hit local businesses and economies hard. Otherwise, the less Euro-enthusiastic forces might make even more inroads among citizen voters. Therefore, the political priority will have to be no questioning of cohesion funds. That means, first and foremost, no cuts; keeping that in mind, Di Rupo stresses, “Cohesion helps, but it is not enough.” The president of Wallonia emphasizes that “cohesion alone cannot radically transform regions,” meaning that what is there must be maintained.

Di Rupo then tried to reassure those who ask about the fate of Belgium. On one hand, he said,”I am confident. We are the country of compromises”. On the other hand, “Europe today is facing major upheavals and threats, and no State, region or city can tackle these challenges alone”.