Europe = [...]
Leonie Rothacker
Danielle de Koning COPY WRITER
COPY WRITER AND EDITOR
Christina Hanson
Larice Schuurbiers
Roxanne Hendrickx
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ART DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHER
Poppy Prescott
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Elif Doganyigit
VIDEO CONCEPT & RESEARCH
Valentina Kress
VIDEO & INFOGRAPHICS
Imprint 1
Editorial In Europe we are experiencing an exciting and unsettling time. European left wing parties desire solidarity and are pushing for a reformed, unified union; ‘more Europe’. The young German candidate Tobias B. Bacherle talks here of his strong sense of European identity, as opposed to a German one. Bacherle says joint discussions across borders and common strategies regarding foreign policy are very important. On the other hand, new right-wing nationalist parties are developing all over Europe and want to put sovereignty back in to national parliaments. Their support and the spread of their protectionist views grow with time. Politology students Jurre Stiekel and Joran de Jong elaborate on what those parties want, how they imagine the future of Europe and why they are so successful at the moment. Either way, the question remains: What would be the consequences? Open borders or not, the same currency or not, and many more questions: Dr. Anthony Zito discusses how our life would look like with or without the EU – and how it will look like for Great Britain after Brexit. Like always, ratio is important, but somehow it is also a matter of feelings. Do we identify as European or not? Is there such a thing as European identity and how is it defined? Maybe you can take this as a motivation, and ask yourself as well: How do you identify?
Leonie Rothacker EDITOR IN CHIEF
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Table of contents
EUROPEAN IDENTITY Interview: T. B. Bacherle, young German politician
European Identity Video: Vox Pop
Right wing politics and European Identity story
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�More Europe� is what the young, left-green candidate for the German elections, Tobias B. Bacherle, wants to stand up for. He tells what European identity means to him, how he imagines an European state in the future and why he thinks the key to a united Europe is discussion.
We asked young European people three questions: 1. What is Europe for you? 2) What is typical for your country? 3) Do you identify more as a European or a [nationality interviewee]? With this video, we want to show the diversity of Europe and what millennials think about Europe.
Why are the right-wing political parties currently increasing in popularity, and how do these parties respond to events in society that are occurring these days. This article includes opinions of 2 experts on the matter, who give reasons and explanations on this event.
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The Movement Hotel, Photo essay
WHAT IF: The European Union fell apart?
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The Movement Hotel, a popup hotel run by refugees to empower them to reintegrate into society through employment. It is an innovative solution to stimulate the integration process of refugees becoming citizens of Europe, and also creates an environment where asylum seekers get in contact with citizens, which improves the integration even more.
Poppy Prescott talks with Anthony Zito, a professor of European Public Policy at Newcastle University, to learn about the European Union. He discusses the threats posed to the EU, the shift in identity, the alternatives and how it may affect you, if it is to fall apart.
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“For me, a united Europe is just the next consistent step” While more and more people start to raise their voices against Europe and want more sovereignty for the national states, for young German politician Tobias B. Bacherle, it is clear that we need “more Europe”. The 22 year old politology student has been a candidate for the German elections for the left-green party in Germany. He elaborates on what a European state could look like, how he defines European identity and why for him, discussion is the key for a united Europe. By Leonie Rothacker
Source: Jochen Detscher Imagine the following situation: You’re abroad and someone asks where you’re from. Do you introduce yourself as European or German? I definitely identify rather as European than as German. Of course it depends where I am, but I think for example in the US, I would introduce myself as European.
Do you feel that many people your age would agree? Yes, but I also think, there are many people who are pro-Europe, but identify rather as German nevertheless. But if you ask them more detailed questions, I think they would realise, that they actually have a very European lifestyle and identify as Europeans as well in the end.
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What do you mean by “European lifestyle”? Good question, actually (he laughs). I think, having a state based on justice and integrity. In German, we call this “Rechtsstaatlichkeit”, it is to be willing to base a society on the rule of law. We all have – compared to other states – very good social systems. Some more, some less, some almost ruined – like Greece – but still. In general, we all live in social security. In general, what unites us is a western lifestyle, the lifestyle of an affluent society. I don’t say that this isn’t the case in other states as well, but I think what distinguishes us from the US for example, is that solidarity is a lot more important for us. What could contribute to making people in Europe feel more united in the future and identify themselves more as Europeans? More joint discussion. There are almost only national debates. We have to interact more with each other! But I also think, we are on a good way. All over Europe, people were looking at Germany this weekend during the elections – just like during the Brexit debate, the whole of Europe looked at Great Britain. That’s quite an acquisition, that we eventually lead the same discussion throughout Europe. Creating a European public is important. You often said, as a politician you will stand up for “more Europe”. What does that mean for you? I believe that many competences should be transferred from the national states to the European Parliament. Especially in the eld of foreign policy, we must act together, and it is also very important for fiscal policy to prevent tax evasion in the future. The respective strategy should be the result of a discussion that has been developed across Europe and on which the European Parliament voted.
But on the other hand it could be argued that it is all the more di cult to meet all interests when decisions are made across Europe. This can be seen, for example, in the Scandinavian countries: the fewer citizens involved, the easier it is to find solutions that meet everyone’s interests. Wouldn’t it be more sensible to leave more sovereignty among the national states from this perspective? Yes and no. I would like to see a federal European state, which, for my sake, can leave some competences at national or even regional level. I only believe there are some topics, for which it is inevitable, that we decide all together: business, trade, foreign and tax policy. In education, on the other hand, we could agree on a common ”base”, simply subjects that everyone with a universityentry-degree must have learned in school. So, more Europe, a united Europe - why do you think it is worth fighting for it and why do you stand up for it? Because fundamentally, I do not find it good to separate people through borders. Pragmatically this may sometimes be rational, but from my basic political conviction I believe that we are all equal. For me, a united Europe is simply the next consistent step. Thank you for your elaboration on the topic and for your time. One last question: If you had to describe the European identity in three words, what would they be? I would say: freedom, equality and justice.
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Besides Tobias B. Bacherle, a lot of Europeans become active in standing up for the future of a united Europe. Every first Sunday of the month the initiative �Pulse of Europe� sets an impulse: During the last eleven months, tens of thousands joined in demonstrations and rallies and set a sign for Europe, for democracy and for the rule of law and peace.
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Austria Freedom Party Anti Immigration Euroscepticism
Right wing politics vs. European Identity By Danielle de Koning In recent years, there has been a significant increase in votes for right wing parties within Europe. Experts have va-
Denmark Danish People’s Party Anti Immigration Euroscepticism
ried ideas on the origin of this development. Although right-wing politics have been around for ages, the reasons for voting for such a party has shifted. For example, opinions are affected by the financial crisis and the refugee crisis. For many, the European identity has become unclear.
Finland The Finns Anti Immigration Euroscepticism Finish Nationalism
Jurre Stiekel, 21, studies political science at the University of Amsterdam. In his eyes, right wing politics has indeed increased over the last years. “The turning point in my opi-
France National Front French Nationalism Anti Immigration
nion is when 9/11 happened. This has had an enormous impact on society, of which we still see the consequences” he explains. One of those consequences, he mentions, is how
Germany Alternative for Germany National Conservatism, Euroscepticism
Netherlands Freedom Party Anti Islam, Anti-immigration Euroscepticism
certain politicians anticipate a fear of immigration and rely on this rhetoric to further their own agenda, without offering any possible solution. Stiekel talks of right wing politicians often using refugees as scapegoats. He concludes: “It is in people’s nature to distrust strangers, which simplifies the dehumanizing of this group and the pushing of problems of a country onto them”. Joran de Jong, 20, studying student government management at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam city council eligible, discusses another reason explaining the electoral success in right wing politics. “The uprising of right wing po-
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litics could be the result of the dissatisfaction of the current parliamentary democracy”, he states. In his opinion, IS and the refugee crisis are merely instruments these parties use to gain votes. “People are unsure about their future”, he continues.
Switserland Swiss People’s Party Economic Liberalism Euroscepticism
Many countries in the European Union are experiencing the same shift in politics. However, the Netherlands is standing out in de Jong’s opinion. “The fact that Geert Wilders from the PVV didn’t become the biggest party in the Dutch elections doesn’t mean that he didn’t win”, he states. The significant increase in seats in parliament not only for the PVV, but also for other Dutch right wing parties, is arguably proof. Besides the Netherlands, de Jong also notices the current prime minister of Poland, who is very open about his an-
Italy Northern League Regionalism, Anti-immigration Anti-globalisation
Sweeden Sweeden Democrats Anti Immigration Euroscepticism
ti-migration opinion and his attempt to integrate Christian values into politics. “However, the same statement could be made about the president of Hungary, where armed militaries are guarding the stre-
Slovakia Out Slocakia Ultra-Nationalism Extermism, Hungarophobia
ets”, de Jong continues. As an explanation, he states that politicians attract more attention to extreme right politics and create terrifying nationalistic
Hungary Jobbik Anti-Zionism, Greater Hungary
and populist character traits. Source: BBC
Although right-wing politi-
cal parties are generally sceptical about Europe, there has been a clear shift after the Brexit. This event has shocked many voters all over Europe, which is why many right wing parties have adjusted their opinion about Europe. Macron
Greece Golden Dawn Megali idea, Ultranationalism Anti-immigration
even won the French elections with a pro-Europe campaign, while leading a right-wing party. The same could be said about Hungary, where right-wing parties are shifting too after the people stood up. “We are Europeans, and we want to be a part of the European Union”, they protested.
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the movement hotel
This is Monjid, a Syrian refugee who is currently working at The Movement Hotel as a receptionist and allround worker. He mostly does administrative work, but he also maintains the hotel and entertains the guests by guiding them through the former prison.
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The Movement Hotel is a pop-up hotel in the former Bijlmer Bajes, run by refugees. This innovative project is aiming to empower refugees to reintegrate into society through employment. Photography by Larice Schuurbiers
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the movement hotel
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What if the European Union fell apart? By Poppy Prescott Eurosceptic movements have been gaining momentum all over Europe. This culminated in Britain when the British public voted to leave the European Union last June. It leaves a problematic question for many citizens in EU member states: What if it happens here too? Dr. Anthony Zito, a professor of European Public Policy at Newcastle University sheds light on this question. With the rise of right-wing populist parties in Europe, some allege the EU is under existential threat. Anti-European sentiment often derives
from a collective dissatisfaction with the current state. In these cases, right wing parties are using nationalist rhetoric to displace blame on to the EU. While this may be a contributing factor to the disintegration of the EU, Zito argues it is not the only one: “There are at least three big dynamics at work, and they interact. First, the wider public in the West is losing its faith in elites, particularly political elites. This is affecting all political systems, and the EU is especially vulnerable to this dynamic as it provides few things (e.g. health care) that are directly tangible to the citizenry. Second, a large
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portion of the Western population, including in Europe, are feeling left out of whatever economic prosperity and growth exists. Third and finally, the EU has faced several intractable crises (Euro crisis, migration) where the ability of the EU to deal with urgent and pending crises is easy to question.” This raises an important question: What are the logical reasons for an EU member state to leave? These concerns are not to be ignored and neither are the challenges the ‘reactionary’ forces represent. Zito talks of two essential reasons for exiting from the EU but “they are both illusions. First is that there is a different, better alternative elsewhere. People generally point to growing markets in China and India, but beyond the fact
of their growth, why these markets would prove to be more beneficial to the European states remains a hypothetical argument. Second, there is a desire to believe that the end of the EU will grant countries and their populations more control of their lives. However, if the global economic crisis, climate change, etc. teach us one thing, it is that states no longer (even if they actually did before) have the ability to control their own destiny”. Exiting the EU is unknown territory. This can be seen in the aftermath of Brexit, in which negotiations are going on in all stretches of the event with nothing to show for it. Conflicts within the British government, the opposition and public are evidence of an attempt to ‘take back control’ turning sour.
There is a lack of European identity in these circumstances. The European Union community, as Zito puts it, has “two dimensions […] and they are related. First, there are the legal/institutional arrangements, signed with treaties that have created the Single Market, the EU institutions and so forth. These form separate entity from the idea of community which can only grow when the European peoples stop seeing each other as foreigners and start to recognise what they have in common. The hope of the founders of European integration was that the first set of arrangements would create the second sense of community.” If the EU were to fall apart, any sense of European identity may follow.
Photograph: Photograph: Marcin Obara/EPA
Some countries would suffer more than others, despite negative impacts for all. Zito predicts: “All of the states would suffer significantly, but the poorer states, particularly ones without long traditions of democratic government, will suffer more. Indeed in those countries there is a potential for the democratic regimes to fail and to be replace with more authoritarian ones. Democratic states do not tend to go to war with other democratic states, but authoritarian states are a different matter”. Many Europeans know from a long 16
and shared history of conflict where the destination of such a path leads; war. This being an unthinkable route for many European politicians, progressive parties are making alliances all over Europe. In the run up to the referendum in the UK, members of the left and right worked together across party lines in attempt to defeat the Leave campaign. In May, Emmanuel Macron was elected prime minister with an ardently pro-Europe campaign, defeating Marine Le Pen and her ‘Frexit’. In Germany, the election results have just come in and there are talks of the Green party, the CDU and the Liberal FDP forming a coalition to keep eurosceptics from powerful positions within government. For how long such coalitions stay stable remains to be seen. A far-right nationalist element exists in most countries, but when put to the test at the ballot box they rarely exceed 15 – 25% of the vote. Zito argues: “The EU will survive this time of crisis because the alternatives are not attractive to the majority of the populations in the older EU member
states. They will push certain integration further, but other states may over time have less of a degree of commitment to this further integration, with the extreme example being the UK. The UK will be officially out of the EU but continue to be shaped by what happens in it. This is the reality of a multi-track integration process where the EU states may not go at the same pace, pursue the same path or end up at the same destination, but with an overarching community remaining.” There is a myriad of possible scenarios where borders are re-erected, freedom of movement is curtailed, regional economies are forced into conflict rather than co-operation; and the entire social and economic fabric which has underpinned Europe’s success over the past six decades starts to unravel. For those asking: ‘What if it happens here too?’ it is hard to imagine life without the EU. It seems as though there would be logical reasons for its disintegration, or at least enough powerful people saying there is, right up until the moment it would be destroyed. But the EU is only as united as its citizens are.
Photograph: Christopher Furlong, source: Getty Images
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