26/05 – Implications of the latest elections in the EU

Several European media comment on the latest electoral results in European member states and their consequences. This weekend, Poland and Spain held elections: in Spain, the radical left, campaigning under the name Podemos caused a political shock, winning the city of Barcelona and creating the possibility of a left coalition in Madrid; in Poland, the Right-wing anti-EU candidate Andrzej Duda won the presidential election.

Rzeczpospolita writes that the election of Andrzej Duda will change Polish international relations, with less power left to Brussels, and closer ties with the US. Rai Tre, Catalunya Radio, Le Soir and Naftemporiki report that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Vice-President Federica Mogherini, commenting on the results, stated that following these results, as well as the ones in Greece and the United Kingdom, “We have to change the European dream, if we want to save it.”

European media comment on the three different elections and all show concern for the future of the European Union, adding that these different political situations are forcing the EU institutions to understand how to strengthen the EU, prevent its desegregation and improve its cohesion. In an article in La Stampa, Marco Zatterin stresses that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said “the EU should focus less on austerity and more on humanity.” He added that European citizens need to be more involved in the EU, and to feel like they are part of the union.

Polish journalist Adam Krzeminski comments in ORF Ö1 that the EU is stronger than it appears, and it will become stronger yet once it adopts a common foreign, security and energy policy. Spanish and Polish media all widely report on the two elections, focusing on political parties’ argument. Rzeczpospolita also reports that its new President might become the British Prime Minister’s ally in the fight for the restoration of the EU country’s sovereignty.

Most media continue to debate on the possibility of a Brexit. Pia Gripenberg writes in Dagens Nyheter that the British Prime Minister David Cameron will present this Thursday the details of the forthcoming referendum. Most media also reveal that the Prime Minister will meet with EC President Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss the UK’s negotiations with the European Union. David Cameron notably plans to negotiate on the country’s sovereignty and migration policy.

French media report that this week, David Cameron will also meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande. According to the Daily Mail and the Daily Express, Mr Cameron is pushing to get a deal on EU reform by Christmas. However, the FT reports that Mr Cameron received a wary reception from EU leaders yesterday who are in no rush to further the prime minister’s agenda.

Le Monde writes that Mr Hollande and Mrs Merkel’s road map for the euro area includes the explicit rejection of David Cameron’s request to relax the European treaties, and even suggests the opposite, a step-by-step strengthening of European integration in four fields: economic, fiscal and social convergence, financial stability, investment and euro area governance.