Germany, the leading power of the EU?

Führungsmacht Germany?

‘Germany’s slow and opaque stance on helping Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion can also be seen as reactive rather than proactive…One reason for Germany’s caution is of course a certain degree of self-consciousness—the country that produced Nazism wants to be seen as kind and respectful, not powerful or dominant. Yet all others know that it is indeed powerful, and interpret even Germany’s silence.’

The Two Paths Ahead Europe: War or Prosperity — Center for Fundamental Rights Press Conference on the European Elections Lead Candidates’ Debate

According to Fanni Lajkó, an analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights, Europe faces two paths in the upcoming June elections: succumbing to pro-war views or rising up to restore the European Union’s original mission as a peace project. The institute held a press conference on Friday, where the Director of EU Research, Attila Kovács, and Fanni Lajkó shared their insights on the latest lead candidate debate.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for a European Council Summit, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on 29 June 2023.

Meloni’s Herculean Task: Uniting the European Right

Giorgia Meloni has made it her mission to unite the European right after the European elections, effectively opposing the left-wing political groups in the new European Parliament. However, this will be a very difficult task: although they agree on a number of key issues, the two right-wing groups are divided on several matters, most notably foreign policy.

Johann Wenzel Peter, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden / Adam and Eve in the Earthly Paradise (1800– 1829). Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Rome, Italy

History’s Relentless Turn

‘The emerging multipolar, multicivilizational world still needs and will be grateful to have a strong, rational, reliable, and consistent Western civilization…But for that to happen, common sense will have to rule us, and we must consign postmodern liberalism and the Cult of Woke to the trash heap of history.’

Europe illustration (source: european-union.europa.eu)

Europe Can Rise Again on 9 June

‘Conservatives are the only parties in Europe that are rising, and the left is afraid. We can be certain that a paradigm shift would wipe out many leftist politicians, and the elites that pay them clearly don’t want that to happen. They want obedient politicians who follow their agenda. On 9 June Conservatives have a mission: the reconquest of our sovereignty, the reconquest of our security, the reconquest of our economy and industry, the reconquest of our agriculture, the reconquest of our identity.’

Ludwig Seitz, Faith and Reason United (ca. 1887). Galleria dei Candelabri, Vatican Museum, Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Could Europe Turn to the Right?

‘The forthcoming European Parliament elections hold particular significance…As Orbán emphasized in his address on 15 March: “We are on the brink of a sovereign revolution in America and Europe, where normal life can be restored, and a great era of Western nations can commence.”’

Matthijs Naiveu, Allegory of Peace and Prosperity (1688). Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden, The Netherlands

What Can We Learn from the Founding Fathers of the EU?

‘We can only hope that the debates concerning the future of the EU will increasingly focus on the goals, and that European politicians will emerge who can formulate them with the faith and courage of the Founding Fathers, ensuring at the same time that the EU remains a community of peace, prosperity, and solidarity.’

Cesare Maccari, Cicero Denounces Catiline (1889). Palazzo Madama, Rome, Italy

Is There a Democracy Deficit in Hungary or the EU?

‘In Hungary, most of society and the government view the state of democracy operating in the institutions of the EU with growing concern and mounting criticism. This mutual criticism increasingly defines the relationship between Hungary and the system of EU institutions in Brussels.’