EU's Margot Wallström speaks out on Plan D
Margot Wallström is European Commission Vice-President responsible for institutional relations and communications strategy.
Margot Wallström: Plan D stands for Debate, Dialogue and Democracy. Plan D is the way to engage with people. It is no rescue operation for the constitution, it is something that runs for a much longer period of time. Plan D will kick off the ‘period of reflection’ and it has to happen in member states and mainly under the responsibility of member states. We have listed the kind of initiatives where we can help and assist member states, together with the European Parliament and other actors as well, national parliaments and civil society. We have tried to make an inventory of things that can be used as instruments to engage in this debate. Of course democracy takes time, one year is not enough, you have to engage in something that really becomes part of democratic debate and discussion in Europe.
Question: What is Europe’s positive story for the new generation? What does it mean to be a European?
Margot Wallström: The words we use to describe our medium and long term objectives are fine. We speak about prosperity, jobs and growth. We speak about a role in the world. We speak about solidarity, between generations and the way we work to ensure social protection. We speak about security. We have to fight terrorism together, we have to fight cross-border problems together. These arguments can create the modern story of Europe.
Question: In terms of leadership, where is it going to come from? France – no, Germany – probably no, the UK – it seems not. Who will dare to take on the argument?
Margot Wallström: Leadership always has to come from within. European leaders have to show that they are committed. They have to show their values. I think this is why so many people ask about values. They want to see European leaders stand up and say why they are engaged in European cooperation. But if that leadership is not there then the role of the commission is to be the motor. The ones who kick things off, who start to get something going and to keep it running.
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