Envisioning Europe's path forward with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
Oct 19, 2024
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Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament and advocate for a stronger EU, joins the discussion on Europe’s defining challenges. She highlights the urgency of a unified strategy toward China amidst geopolitical tensions. Metsola addresses the rising far-right nationalism and the implications for Ukraine’s EU membership as Russia's war continues. She emphasizes the importance of a cohesive migration policy and reflects on recent elections, where trust in the EU is being tested against broader global dynamics.
The rise of far-right nationalism in Europe complicates centrist efforts, necessitating consensus amidst growing voter disillusionment and political fragmentation.
Amid global challenges, the EU's push for strategic autonomy emphasizes the need for a cohesive approach to assert its interests against superpowers like the US and China.
Deep dives
Impact of Recent EU Elections
The recent elections in the European Union reflected a shifting political landscape, with the center-right European People's Party securing the most seats, yet facing significant gains from far-right and Euroskeptic parties. This growing nationalism complicates the ability of centrist alliances to progress on vital initiatives like the Green Deal. The centrist forces are working to connect with voters feeling left behind, highlighting a need for consensus amidst a climate of disillusionment toward politicians. The challenge lies in maintaining voter engagement and demonstrating effective governance amidst rising extremism.
Rising Significance of the EU
The European Union's relevance is increasing as citizens increasingly rely on it during crises, such as the pandemic and the ongoing energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. Public sentiment is shifting towards seeing the EU as a stabilizing force capable of addressing issues like energy dependence and migration, which national governments struggle to manage alone. The EU's proactive response to crises, such as achieving energy independence and prioritizing renewable sources, has reinforced public trust in its capabilities. This renewed confidence suggests a recognition of the EU's importance in navigating complex global challenges.
Strategic Autonomy and Global Positioning
The concept of strategic autonomy is increasingly debated in Europe as it grapples with its position between global powers like the US and China. There is a recognition that Europe must develop a cohesive strategy to assert its interests, particularly in the face of economic and technological challenges posed by external competition. A key focus is on strengthening internal cohesion and ensuring that the EU presents a unified approach to international relations. Efforts to adapt policies, such as enhancing innovation and fostering economic independence, will be crucial for the EU to maintain its global standing and address its vulnerabilities.
The European Union is at a crossroads. Big issues, like Russia’s Ukraine invasion, a migrant crisis, and an economic slowdown coming out of the Covid pandemic have been major tests of the bloc’s resilience and unity. There’s a lot at stake. Can the EU’s 27 member states hold it all together? On this week’s episode of the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer sits down with the woman at the heart of Europe’s government: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola They discuss Europe’s path forward, its role on the world stage, and how a fragmented EU avoids being squeezed by the US and China. Metsola admits that, on China policy in particular, the bloc’s “biggest problem is we have not been coherent" and says a unified EU strategy toward China has (so far) been “absent” from policy discussions. So where does Europe go from here? In a wide-ranging discussion, Bremmer and Metsola dig into the EU’s push for strategic autonomy, rising far-right nationalism in recent EU elections, and whether Ukraine will be able to join the bloc anytime soon, even as Russia’s war rages on.