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Home arrow newsitems arrow How France+Germany led to proEuropean Vote opposed to Turkey's bid, that others lost to eurosceptics

How France+Germany led to proEuropean Vote opposed to Turkey's bid, that others lost to eurosceptics

Parašė ACM
Monday, June 08, 2009

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The "key" of France's, Germany's, and some other EU Countries', "success" to attract People opposed to Turkey's controversial EU-bid into pro-European mainstream politics, instead of losing them scattered around Euro-Sceptic and/or Extremist parties, as in the UK, Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, etc, was clearly explained to "EuroFora" by Young Foreign Policy Expert and new MEP Arnaud Danjean, of the 2009 Winner in France, the Governing coalition UMP :   

  - "For the first time in France, the 4 biggest Parties are all pro-Europeans" on 2009. "This is important, because in the Past we used to have also some very anti-European, Populist parties in France. But now, the People who voted feel that Europe is a necessity today", Danjean stressed. - "I am very satisfied of the results of our party (UMP), which is a success of Sarkozy's way to manage EU policy"

- "By having a clear stance on EU's Borders (i.e. also on Turkey), may be this did help to attract voters that were not sure to vote."

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- But, "we did not isolate this item (Turkey) from other (EU) items. What is important is that we didn't speak about Turkey and Borders as such, just for itself. We said that we have a big Ambition for Europe, that we want a Political Europe". And, "if you want a Political Europe, you need to have a Space, a determined Space to develop it. That's how we spoke about Turkey and the Borders. So, this Consistent position was probably important for the Voters".
 
 - "I would see this as a Warning. We've developed strong Arguments for a Political Europe, within strong Borders. And that makes a Consistent position. We didn't speak about Turkey as Socialists did", (i.e. in a supreficial manner, cut off from EU Citizens' concerns).

- "I think that all over Europe, you shall see the same : The parties who have spoken (on that) with Credibility, Realism, Pragmatism, these are the parties from the EPP  And, compared to this, the Socialists have chosen to be very Ideological, while we have been very Pragmatic" (on Turkey). "And this is a Key-issue. It was a Key-issue of Sarkozy's policy. And this is the Key of Success".    

National Front's vice-President, French MEP Bruno Gollnish, former Group Chairman in EU Parliament, speaking to "EuroFora", stroke back : - "There was no real debate in this campain", he claimed. And "those People who were really critical of the system abstained, because they thought that if they had voted, they would have conforted a system they contest without being able to change it".


    - "It's obviously a Failure !", criticized French Socialist Senator Roland Ries, (and mayor of Strasbourg), for his own party's (PS') performance in 2009 EU Election. Both in France and "in all Europe, people must find a new meaning for a pro-Socialist vote", he advised.
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FACTS :
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- In France, President Sarkozy's governing majority union UMP (EPP), who focused its campain on the development of a strong and popular Political Europe, with Identity and Borders incompatible to Turkey's controversial EU bid, won more than expected with some 28%, largely distancing the Socialist party which surprisingly fell down to only 16% (equal to "Greens") ! Significantly, in the only Constituency in which a PS list had a Turkish-origin candidate (East), it surprisingly fell to the lowest level, outpaced even by "Greens" ! Taken all together, the Parties who oppose Turkey's entry into the EU, represent a Majority with more than 54%; (without taking into account 40% of PS' own voters, reportedly opposed too) : A number which confirms Sarkozy's brillant win at the 2007 Presidential Election, after a "hot" TV-debate on Turkey : 53%. But all others are scattered around in small quantities, without any comparison to UMP's big result.

- In Germany, Chancellor Merkel's CDU/CSU (EPP) coalition, led by outgoing EU Parliament's President Hans Gert Poettering, (who consider Turkey's EU bid as incompatible with EU's Borders and Values) won a biggest than expected Victory with 38%. Her Bavarian ally, the Christiansocial party CSU, whose leader Seehofer asked "a Referendum on Turkey", boosted its votes winning more than 48% in its Bavarian stronghold, (7,3% nation--wide). If CDU's score was - 5%¨less than what it did in 2004, it might be partly due to voters' reaction to controversial local Hessen politician Koch's attempt to impose, for the 1st time, a Turkish lobby's candidate. This fits with the fact that Socialist SPD (very pro-Turkey since 2002), with 3 Turkish candidates in 2009, fell down to only 20% : a Record Low !  Liberals of the FDP (a possible coalition partner with CDU/CSU in the forthcoming September 2009 National Elections), after their leaders, (fex. MEP Lambsdorf) multiplied Criticism on Turkey's Violations of Human Rights, won some + 5% (growing up to 11%). But, despite the Economic Crisis, "Greens" stagnated, and the Left won only +1%...

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-  In Spain, EPP's Popular party, whose program stresses that EU is "now" in "a stage of Consolidation" and "Assimilation" after the 2004-2007 Enlargements to 12 more Countries, and that "Enlargement requires for the EU to have sufficient capacity to integrate new members", who "must fully meet the conditions", while it also "supports the possibility of Other possible Formulas and possible means of Association to the EU", (fex. privileged Partership), speaking on Turkey, won the EU Election with 42% : A clear difference to 38% for the governing PSoc, which remains in support of Turkey's controversial EU bid. 

  - In tiny but symbolic Cyprus, frontrunner MEP of EPP (DHSY-opposition) party, Kasulides, (who lost the 2008 Presidential race), now wins the 1st place, after a statement in favor of Sarkozy and Merkel's stance against Turkey's controversial EU bid. Voters chose also a 2nd DHSY MEP critical on Turkey (Helen Theoharous). For the 1st time, Cyprus' Socialist party (EDEK : more critical on Turkey than others), succeeds to elect a MEP, choosing a strong critic on Turkey, former Defence Minister Mavronicolas, while "softer" canditates lost. The governing AKEL party (Left), favorable to the "full compliance with EU conditions - full access in the EU" stance on Turkey, lost some ground (falling to 2nd place), but kept its MEPs. Because critical "Euro-party" (unique in 27 EU Countries to identify itself with EU's Human Rights, etc. values) shortly missed the threshhold for 0,3%, despite augmenting its votes.

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On the contrary, when mainstream parties didn't integrate Citizens' opposal to Turkey's controversial EU bid, they lost voters who went towards various other, more Critical parties :

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- The most loquacious example is that of the UK : The expected 1st place of Cameron's Conservative party, (27%, with a Cypriot-origin lady among its candidates), was eclipsed by the surprising rise of Nigel Farage's "Independence" party (Ind/Dem) : 16,01% which became.. the 2nd party in the UK, extending the number of its MEPs ahead of the governing Labour party (PS : the most favorable to Turkey's bid), which fell down to an abysmal low (15%), almost equalled by Liberals. This astonishing New change cannot be explained by the Independence party's traditional euro-sceptic stance for the withdrawal of the UK out of the EU (in a kind of EEA, as Norway, Switzerland, etc). The only big New factor is Nigel Farage's recent loud statements in Strasbourg that "the IP is he only party in the UK which opposes Turkey's entry in the EU" (March 2009), and his official Critical reply to US President Obama's push for Turkey, in the aftermath of Strasbourg's NATO Summit (April 2009). That's the only big difference between UKIP's huge boost, and other eurosceptic parties, from Conservatives up to the British National Party, (far right), who also won + 2 MEPs for the 1st time.  

- In the Netherlands, Geert Wilder's PVV ("Party for Freedom") euro-sceptic party became the 2nd bigger in the country, winning + 4 MEPs, shortly after he notoriously withdrew from another group "because he didn't agree with its policy on Turkey". EPP, mildly Critical on Turkey, maintains a lead over Socialists (committed to Turkey's bid) which diminish, but loses many of its former voters who went this time for the PVV.

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- In Austria, mainstream OVP (EPP)'s promise to hold a Referendum on Turkey's bid succeeded to give it the 1st place, the pro-Turkey PS (SPO) seriously loosing ground. But the biggest rise is a combined boost of 3 Populist right's parties, Peter Martin's and Haider's (the recently killed politician's) former and current parties FPO and BoZ, which total some 36%. with their outspoken opposition to Turkey's bid, (even if only the 2 first get MEPs, the 3rd arriving at short distance, lacking only 0,3% !)

- In Greece, mainstream parties' continuing stance "full compliance to conditions - full accession in the EU" for Turkey, resulted into a stalemate, reducing PS' advance in only +2%, the governing EPP party limiting its percentage accordingly. But it pushed Citizens to an unprecedented Abstention : 48% (despite sanctions, since the vote is obligatory). It multiplied and doubled LAOS' MEPs, after the Populist party was glad to claim that it's "the only one to follow the Sarkozy-Merkel line" against Turkey's controversial EU bid ( up +3%), and brought "Greens" in EU Parliament for the 1st time.

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- In Bulgaria, the populist right's ATAKA party wins more than 12%, becoming one among the 4 big parties over 10% and a solid player at the political landscape, after it decided to focus all its 2009 electoral campain under the banner "No to Turkey's EU bid !". On the contrary, PS loses ground, while EPP (1st) grows slightly stronger.

-  In Hungary, the ruling Socialist party, (in favor of Turkey's EU bid, as almost all PS), lost - 5 seats, while the "Nationalist" Jobbik party won  + 3 MEPs, getting some 15% of votes, dangerously approaching the score of the governing Socialists (17%). Meanwhile, EPP (opposition) wins + 2 MEPs more, totaling 15 MEPs, (compared to PS' remaining only 4)...

 

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- EuroSceptics are also active in Sweden (whose mainly Liberal government continues to support Turkey's controversial EU bid under conditions), where the "strongly eurosceptic Environmental party" won + 5% of votes more, gaining one MEP for the 1st time. Swedish People elected also the only .. "Pirate" MEP in 27 EU Countries, who struggles against EU's Copyright rules restricting Internet downloading : It gained more than + 7% of votes. Moreover, "Nationalist" anti-Islamic movement of "Swedish Democrats" won +2,2%. Added to "June's list", an older eurosceptical party (4%), "Green" EuroSceptics (11%),  "Pirates" (7,1%), "Swedish Democrats" (3,3%), etc.  gathered in 2009 much more votes (26%) than .. Swedish Prime Minister Reinfelds' own party (18%) !...


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(etc)...

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Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !

Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.

The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.

Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.

- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.

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- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.

- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).

More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.

- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".

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Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.

The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :

- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.

- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.

- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"

- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.

- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
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Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :

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The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..

Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
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- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".

- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".

Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :

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To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
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- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".

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"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.

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To Young People : "New Horizons"
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To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".

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Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.

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Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
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At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).

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But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.

- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.

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Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
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- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...

- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.

- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.

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"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.

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(../..)

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