The Strasbourger
newsstand sales: £ 0,83 Monday, 20 May 2013. The circus is in Brussels.

Comrades, a New Secretary General Has Been Elected


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The European Parliament is very proud of its transparent procedures. But when power is at stake, all good intentions come short. And the election of the new President of the Parliament - the German socialist Martin Schulz - appears like the secret ceremonies of appointment of the Secretary General of the Soviet Communist Party. 
by Alfonso Ricciardelli

The election of Martin Schulz as President of the EP has been agreed by the leaders of the major European Parliament political groups. 

Many MEPs have stayed silent. But others could not avoid to express their disappointment. 
In a letter sent to Schulz last week by a British MEP, anger was expressed on this farce election: "We can not extend our influence and Promote democracy, human rights, good governance, transparency and globally using our "soft power" without ever electing our own president in a transparent and open way. An unelected one, secured by a back room deal Between 2 people for 754 MEPs Makes us a laughing stock. I am sure you will agree That we must stop it as strong proponents of democracy."
It is a painstaking testimony of the backroom agreements that have driven this "election": the position is shared by Nigel Farage (who said that this election makes the EU look like a banana republic). 
Martin Schulz is the living confirmation that too much power blurs the senses. We could refer to the "last minute" promotions that he distributed to his old cabinet, we might as well question his disregard for the Hungarian issue (because the 14 members of Fidesz, Viktor Orban's party, are sitting with the EPP that is voting for him), and we can quote his compromises with the EPP over the last two years in order to secure his own election. 
Schulz is a man of power that has reached the only position where he is comfortable: power. His "election" will have the effect of maintaining the status - quo, as well as of providing two and a half years of favors for his friends. For Europe, it will be hard times, as the new president lacks innovative ideas and ability to think out of the box.
For one who reprimanded Italy for lack of media freedom, Schulz managed today to make Berlusconi look like a prophet. Silvio’s joke echoes in the walls of the Strasbourg plenary room: "I know that in Cinecittà they are shooting a movie about concentration camps ... I will propose you for the role of Kapo."
Below, a new anthem for Europe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U06jlgpMtQs

Picture Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/3337696394/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Comments (5)

Tue, 17 Jan at 15:08certenotti wrote:
Gentleman of leisure,

Why could it not be you?

Tue, 17 Jan at 15:39 certenotti reacted:
All I am saying is that we should not settle to the mediocrity of what we have.
Gentleman of leisure reacted: Tue, 17 Jan at 15:49
Yes I agree, lets not settle for mediocrity...who would you suggest then other than me? (I would compromise my anti-establishment persona if I were to embark into a politician's career!).
Tue, 17 Jan at 16:53 certenotti reacted:
So you are basically saying you are anti-establishment just until someone proposes you to go into politics...

Proposals you can't refuse :).

But I am - sincerely - curious about something: if you were in the Socialist Group, would you be a Swoboda (on Schulz's side until death) or a Trautmann (trying to build your own speck of power)? Or maybe someone interested in the substance of the files (like the Spanish Presedo, for instance)?
Gentleman of leisure reacted: Tue, 17 Jan at 16:52
No, no...I think you misunderstood my sentence. I mean that going into politics would compromise my anti-establishment persona, therefore I wouldn't do it :)

Unfortunately I cannot satisfy your curiosity as the dilemma you pose has never crossed my mind before. All I can say is that I d definitely wouldn't got for options 1 and 2.
Tue, 17 Jan at 15:57certenotti wrote:
Rightophobia, leftyphobia.

Just allergic to a certain use of power.

But of course I am waiting for Gentleman of Leisure to sing the praises of the new President.

Did you become the "establishment guy" all of a sudden?


Tue, 17 Jan at 15:45 Gentleman of leisure reacted:
Trust me you don't want to hear me sing! But even if I could sing I'd definitely choose a different song to entertain the forum.

I am not a supporter of Mr. Schulz, or his party for that matter...I just didn't like the way you approached the whole issue (blindly criticizing as if you have a personal vendetta with the guy, also not a big fan of double standards).

...and nope...still anti-establishment!
Tue, 17 Jan at 15:09certenotti wrote:
Oh, and I just happen to know that Hannes Swoboda is the new Socialist Group Leader.

Well done again, Mr Schulz!
Tue, 17 Jan at 15:50certenotti wrote:
Finally!

Some socialist coming out and defending Mr Schulz...

I think that Europe needs someone who is less attached to power and more attached to Europe.

1) The concentration camp reference was done by Berlusconi: if you read it in the right context, you will see that I did not intend to put it in connection to Schulz. But I know sometimes people like to take phrases out of context...

2) The Soviet Union reference is - on the other hand - completely mine: it's a joke, in order to explain my point of view. Which is that you can only call election what is really an election.

I already write for an Italian magazine: it's called "Il Futurista".

And God knows how often do I criticize Italian democracy :). What I did not see is Schulz criticizing the Hungarian democracy though...
Tue, 17 Jan at 15:38 Gentleman of leisure reacted:
...and who would that politician be Alfonso? (that is more attached to Europe rather than power). If you got anyone in mind please (honestly, I m not joking) share his name with us!
Tue, 17 Jan at 15:01Socialist monkey wrote:
Dear Alfonso,
I think that it is absolutely vulgar to make any references towards concentration camps or the Soviet Union. If you wish to talk about democracy and how it functions, maybe you should be courageous and start writing in Italian newspapers. True, the election of Schulz has been a deal between the Socialists and the Christian Democrats. But MEPs could have voted differently if they wished. The voting happened on the basis of anonimity. Other candidates were present. How much democracy do you want! May I remind you that politics is about deal making, the majority has spoken.
You don't seem to be bothered about the election of Buzek, which, according to your logic, was also undemocratic.
I think Schulz is exactly what we need at this moment. He is a strong negotiator and will defend the European Parliament (the only directly elected European institute) way better than this boring Jerzy Buzek. You already judged him, before he has even started his new function.
Tue, 17 Jan at 15:14 Gentleman of leisure reacted:
Couldn't agree with you more fellow monkey! Lots of unsubstantiated criticism...for the sake of criticism. The author seems to suffer from leftyphobia.

I will also add that quoting Nigel Farage doesn't add strength to the author's argument.



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