Fdp: citizens to take european disaffection seriously
"Europe is important for young people. That is why youth exchanges and, for example, the erasmus program must continue to be called for." This was the most important message of thomas hacker, member of the bundestag, at the FDP’s kick-off event for the european elections. Europe must not be a distant organization, it must be brought to the people in all EU countries. Given the disgruntlement of many europeans with "those in brussel" he pointed to the power that can come from a united europe, which is also necessary to be able to speak in the concert of the economic powers china, the USA and russia. A single country is too weak.
But the focus should not only be on economics and trade; europe’s values lie in the reconciliation of peoples, decades of peace, freedom and the rule of law. Hacker sees danger of nationalist parties in hungary, italy, france and poland that reap economic benefits but threaten community and its values. Instead of dissatisfaction with often petty bureaucratic regulations, unity should be further strengthened by closer cooperation in migration, foreign policy or defense policy.
