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Article by Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Presidency of the European Union between January and June 2009
In the latest JMECE Lab newsletter we have the honour to include an article written exclusively for the JMECE Lab by Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, EU presidency of the European Union between January and June 2009.
INTRODUCTION: The motto of the Czech Republic EU presidency is “Europe without barriers”. The Czech Republic will be presiding over the meetings of EU-27 between January and June 2009. The main priorities of the Czech Presidency can be summed up as “the 3 E’s”: Economy, Energy and External Relations.
ARTICLE:
Over Prague, a giant metronome counts the time of the Czech Presidency. It stands on the site of a memorial to the Soviet dictator Stalin, put up with great pomp in the 1950s and then stealthily disposed of during one night. A megalomaniac statue of an autocrat that was to stand “forever” has been replaced by a subtle symbol of transience and the passing of time. True, it sometimes seizes up, which is a technical glitch, and the European Union flag has been twice damaged by vandals, which is being dealt with by the police (although the twelve stars on a blue background are not a “state symbol”), but the Czech Presidency goes on, works on fulfilling its priorities, the “3E’s” – the Economy, Energy and Europe in the world – and has also responded to unexpected events, which, for now, we refer to as the “2G’s” – Gaza and gas.
However, the metronome makes me also think of Fellini’s mock-documentary “Orchestra Rehearsal” in which the Italian director depicts a revolt of musicians who depose the conductor and replace him with a metronome. The director commented on the political metaphor by saying: “Before I hear it with my own ears, I cannot believe that such an inharmonious community of humans, metal and wood can coalesce into one single melody”. For the first half of 2009, the Czech Republic has chosen the slogan “Europe in sweet harmony”. This is to say that we consider our Presidency to be about a search for equilibrium and moderating joint debates rather than pushing through our own interests and ambitions. At the same time we wish our Presidency to be as open and transparent as possible. Of course, we cannot afford this in certain strategic or security-sensitive areas, but in principle we put more faith in dialogue than in monologue; the former is not only easier to listen to, but also to understand.
The European Union – or rather its institutions – are struggling against a crisis of trust. A thirty-year-long opinion poll, i.e. the elections to the European Parliament, show that this has been a long-term, consistent trend. The institutions try to act all the more decisively and convincingly, but whenever someone voices a different opinion or even criticises their actions, they often become wimpy – i.e. they reject even valid objections. Pressure for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty or shuttling between the seats of the European Parliament are thus seen by the general public above all as symbols of obstinacy and unwillingness to listen.
True, for institutions to work together, they need rules to play by or, if you like, a common score and rhythm, and also somebody to make sure that these rules are respected, but, coming back to Fellini’s orchestra, I think it is symptomatic that the musicians often don’t share their conductor’s zeal for the cause and after some time tend to reject his authoritarianism. However, they realise that they need direction and consequently choose the metronome over the man.
- “Over Prague, a giant metronome counts the time of the Czech Presidency. It stands on the site of a memorial to the Soviet dictator Stalin, put up with great pomp in the 1950s and then stealthily disposed of during one night.”
The error is manifest – the conductor had been stepping up his rigour and pressure as criticism directed at him grew, until he lost all backing. He could not bear the criticism nor the challenges; he responded with increasing authoritarianism. A bad communication strategy, we would say today. The apathy of Fellini’s musicians who say: “We have no deeper interests. What are we interested in? Nothing”, and the ensuing disunion are resolved by the impact of a wrecking ball which breaks through the walls of the chapel where the rehearsal is taking place. The conductor picks up his baton again but, instead of humility and respect for others, he starts voicing orders much more strongly than before. With a bit of exaggeration, we could say that the EU is also experiencing turbulence, which has been provoked by the financial crisis. If its institutions respect the different positions of the Member States, their respective situations and the different expectations of their inhabitants, they will boost their trustworthiness, but if they issue new orders that are binding on everybody without distinction, there will be yet another decrease in the turnout at this year’s elections to the European Parliament.
This is what the Czech Presidency brings forward for other EU Member States to consider. Let us not succumb to the momentary mood provoked by the impact of the economic crisis and let us not give up the functioning mechanisms. Let us not weaken the strength of the internal market and let us not undermine Europe’s competitiveness. Let us realise that musicians cannot do without technical rules or without a conductor, but everybody is responsible above all for tuning their instrument and for playing by the common score. I believe that in the end, the important relation is not that of metronome and conductor, but that of orchestra and audience. The tempo may vary but false notes are audible at once.
Downloand the newsletter HERE
The 5th newsletter of the JMECE Lab (January-February) is available online at:
Download the 5th newsletter HERE
Inside this issue:
• “European Harmony – Conductor or metronome?” by Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, EU presidency of the European Union between January and June 2009 (front page)
• “The 10 commandments for efficient Communication with EU citizens” by Stergios Mavrikis, PhD candidate, ICS (page: 3)
• “Economic crisis, “the perfect excuse” to avoid environmental commitments ” Report by Francisco Seoane Perez, PhD candidate, ICS (page: 6)
• “Multilingualism: a long term investment for EU” by Nathalie Henry, PhD candidate, ICS (page: 7)
• Movers and Shakers: The making of the European Parliament, by Juliet Lodge, Director Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence, Professor of European Studies, ICS (page: eight)
• “European Union: A citizen’s perspective” by Bruno van den Elshout, Journalist and photographer (page 11)
• “Communicating Europe: How can this Utopia come about?” by Geoff Martin, Special Adviser to the Commonwealth Secretary General on Strategic Relationships (page 12)
• “Greece and Sarkozy’s “Union for the Mediterranean”", by George Tassiopoulos PhD candidate in political science University of East-Paris (page: 13)
• “Debate: European Communication Policy biased propaganda?”, by Silke Stumvoll, journalist, stagiaire at a Communication and information Unit of the Commission (page: 14)
•”Publication of Special JCER issue on Media and Communication in Europe: Babel Revisited”, by Agnes Inge Schneeberger, PhD candidate, ICS (page: 15)
- Project “Europe in my eyes”
The Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence and the JMECE Lab, based in Institute of Communication Studies, has organised a one day conference in Leeds Civic Hall on Friday 13th March, 2009 between 10.00 a.m. and 16.00 p.m.
This event is intended to bring together young people from Leeds to look at engaging them in the forthcoming European Elections. To that end, a number of MEPs and speakers from the University, together with EU students in ICS, will be giving talks, holding round table debates and also showing a JMECE produced film.
The conference is part of our own research on citizenship, the public sphere and mediated governance and addresses the EU’s and its member states’ attempts to use new media to mobilise interest among citizens in democratic engagement.
Speakers include MEPs for Yorkshire and Humber, media practitioners, academics, researchers, local authorities and first time young voters from Britain and other EU countries. Issues to be discussed include voting in Euro-elections, young people’s views of the EU, its priorities, policies and the future of democracy. We would like to thank Lynette Falconer, Information Development Manager, Leeds Europe Direct at Leeds City Council for her support. Activities of the project “Europe in my eyes”, supported by the European Parliament.
In conjuction with: 
Download the registraton form HERE
Downlaod the poster of the event HERE
Download the draft programme HERE
You and the Future of Democracy in Europe
Conference at Leeds Civic Hall, 13th March 2009, 10am-4pm
10.00 Welcome and Introduction. [speaker TBC]
PANEL 1: EU elections and EU citizenship
10.15 What future? What democracy? What’s the point of Euro-elections? Prof Juliet Lodge, JMECE, University of Leeds
10.30 The European Parliament in perspective. Dermot Scott, Head of the UK Office of the European Parliament
10.50 European elections, political participation and mobilisation of young people. Fabro Steibel, Francisco Seoane Perez and Stergios Mavrikis, JMECE Lab.
“Do it like a European?”: a film for first time voters by first time voters, marking the “50th anniversary of the European Parliament and 30 years since the first Euro-elections”. The film will be introduced by Leeds University Communications students, the Director Ali Dickinson, the Producer Vivienne Errington-Barnes and the Script-writer Nick Miller.
11.00 Screening of the short film “Do it like a European?”
11.30 Tea break
PANEL 2: Communicating Europe?
11.45 Boring, Irrelevant and Over there! The Media and Europe. Judith Stamper, Institute of Communication Studies, University of Leeds
12.00 Britain and Europe: Ignorance is Bliss! Geoffrey Martin, Special Adviser to the Commonwealth Secretary on Strategic Relationships
12.15 Protecting Citizens in Europe. DCI Dave Fortune
12.30 Lunch
Stands by Europe Direct, JMECE Lab and European Movement with material for distribution
PANEL 3: Your chance to talk to European MEPs
13.30 Green Europe: Political Choices. Diana Wallis, MEP, Liberal Democrat
13.50 What has European Parliament ever done for you? Dr Richard Corbett MEP, Labour.
14.10 Consuls-supporting you abroad. Mark Green, Honorary German Consul
14.20 Round table – with MEPs, including Dr Richard Corbett MEP Labour; Diana Wallis MEP Liberal Democrats; Godfrey Bloom MEP UKIP; and Mark Green Honorary German Consul. Moderated by Prof Juliet Lodge.
15.00 Tea break
PANEL 4 : European Union from the citizens’ perspective
15.15 What Use are Euro parties? Dr Simon Lightfoot, University of Leeds
15.30 The Role of Europe Direct Network: getting Information about Europe, studying and working elsewhere in Europe. Lynette Falconer, Leeds Europe Direct
15.40 Working for an idea: internship and employment at the European Union. Dr Alina Dobreva, European Commission stagiaire and Christina Michael, journalist working for Europa.eu
15.50 The European Movement – why it matters, and what it can do. Neill Schofield, the European Movement
16.00 Closing Speaker: Who’s European Now? Dr Katharine Sarikakis, University of Leeds
Special activity: The FOCUS GROUPS on ‘YOUR VISION OF EUROPE’ will convene at 15.00 – 16.0o
"You and the future of democracy in the EU" poster
