Europe deserves a truly open and fair debate on its future
The ECR Group is prepared to engage in an open and realistic debate on the future of Europe, but only if a fair voice is given to those who do not share the belief in an ever-closer Union.
During today's plenary debate in the European Parliament, the ECR expressed its desire for the EU to reconnect with its historical and cultural roots.
For the ECR Group, by respecting the rights and democratic legitimacy of the Member States, the EU would strengthen democracy and restore public confidence.
MEP Zdzislaw Krasnodebski, head of the ECR's EU Reform Working Group, said:
"The ECR Group believes that deep reform of the Union is necessary, especially in the light of recent experiences with the pandemic, which has shown how unfit and unprepared we are for existential threats. We support the idea of organising a conference on the future of the European Union but only so long as it is of a truly fair and open character, which allows those who do not favour federalist orthodoxy to speak as well.
"We believe that efforts should be made to restore the Union as a European community of sovereign nations, based on a Eurorealistic vision of a confederate Europe that respects the rights and democratic legitimacy of the Member States. We must strengthen its spiritual foundations. If we are to learn anything from the history of the 20th century, then it should be to understand how dangerous it can be to attempt to completely rebuild societies.
"Unfortunately, for some time now, supporters of great social engineering have prevailed within the Union. They want to build a European Union which goes against the entire European history, its heritage and the basic institutions that have formed it, such as the state, family or nation. They want to change the very nature of humans - we are dealing with an attempt to create a new, better man, indeed, a new, better European.
"Madam President von der Leyen reiterated in her speech today the principle of "united in diversity" as the basis for European integration. However, in reality, instead of diversity, we have long been dealing with increasing uniformity of opinions, notably cultures, and collectivity in Europe. Nations feel that they are slowly being deprived of the right to self-determination. And citizens see that the EU is increasingly interfering with their lives. The European Union is becoming more and more detached from being European, turning its back on its cultural, philosophical and religious traditions. We must make it European again in the proper sense of the word."