Ljubljana, 3 March 2017 – Juncker’s visit to Slovenia has prompted many questions and uncertainty about the future of the European Union, especially regarding Slovenia’s role within it. Slovenian People’s Party (SLS) has emphasised the visit is an obvious political manoeuvre of the Juncker administration in cooperation with the Slovenian Government, led by PM Cerar, used to manipulate European and Slovenian general public regarding the five possible scenarios Juncker has recently presented. The EU at different speeds is precisely the scenario that the highest European political levels, influenced largely by German Chancellor Merkel, are in favour of. One has to admit that the package of different scenarios is nothing but a book of fairy tales, missing the “happily ever after”. It’s clear that Juncker doesn’t have the right solutions for the future of EU, which enables the radical left populists to conquer European thrones and further destroy the idea of a strong and closely connected EU. Yet, just because Juncker doesn’t seem to have the right solutions that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
SLS regards this popular game of thrones as dangerous and harmful, leading to a more likely downfall of the EU. The countries that lack political power and influence, but are positioned in important geo-strategic locations, one of which is Slovenia, will suffer irreparable damage to economy, social affairs and security. As a full and equal member of the family of European people’s parties, SLS will not allow these negative attitudes fuelled by certain members’ partial interests to spread throughout Europe. We expect leaderships of all European people’s parties to participate in a thorough and all-inclusive debate to find concrete solutions for all challenges, which include excessive bureaucracy and alienation of member states. Instead, we need to strive for greater power and equality in decision making processes for all states, tailored to the needs of the people, and a guarantee of an effective Common Security Policy.
President of the SLS Marko Zidanšek, MSc, comments_ “The European Union has gone through enough stress tests in the past year, and we cannot afford any more mistakes. The European Commission’s approach to problem solving is questionable due to pressure from larger member states, especially the domineering Germany, which is why they come up with suggestions that are void of actual content and result in deepening of conflicts instead of a brighter future. The EPP made a poor choice putting Juncker at the head of the European Commission. Regardless of that, Europe deserves a true European idea to restore its confidence and former glow of openness, forward- and free-thinking. Not EU at different speeds, but Europe that is tailored to its people.”
SLS regards this popular game of thrones as dangerous and harmful, leading to a more likely downfall of the EU. The countries that lack political power and influence, but are positioned in important geo-strategic locations, one of which is Slovenia, will suffer irreparable damage to economy, social affairs and security. As a full and equal member of the family of European people’s parties, SLS will not allow these negative attitudes fuelled by certain members’ partial interests to spread throughout Europe. We expect leaderships of all European people’s parties to participate in a thorough and all-inclusive debate to find concrete solutions for all challenges, which include excessive bureaucracy and alienation of member states. Instead, we need to strive for greater power and equality in decision making processes for all states, tailored to the needs of the people, and a guarantee of an effective Common Security Policy.
President of the SLS Marko Zidanšek, MSc, comments_ “The European Union has gone through enough stress tests in the past year, and we cannot afford any more mistakes. The European Commission’s approach to problem solving is questionable due to pressure from larger member states, especially the domineering Germany, which is why they come up with suggestions that are void of actual content and result in deepening of conflicts instead of a brighter future. The EPP made a poor choice putting Juncker at the head of the European Commission. Regardless of that, Europe deserves a true European idea to restore its confidence and former glow of openness, forward- and free-thinking. Not EU at different speeds, but Europe that is tailored to its people.”