The President argued that “the time of hypothetical crossroads is over. There is only one path left: forward and together”. She called for a different Europe, which is more realistic, more self-critical and supportive of its industries, with less regulation and more innovation. A Europe wary of populists and more in tune with what citizens expect. She made the case for a change in mind-set and a shift in priorities. President Metsola called on the European Union and the European Parliament to do things differently and to work faster, with confidence, as well as be braver in its decisions.
A manifesto for change
She cautioned that after the last European elections, “the political centre may well have held – just – but in an era of hyper-polarisation, ignoring the clanging alarm bells that went off would be foolhardy. “
“We need the resolve – the political courage – to show that we are still a continent on the rise. To prove we are open for business. For ideas. For new ways to tackle old problems. That’s how we defy the cynics and defeat those determined to see Europe fail.”
A smarter Europe
“A smarter Europe is one that recognises that our way of individual freedoms and social safety nets depends on our competitiveness. One where it is possible to turn an idea into a business, to find investment, to fail and to begin again, and again. Where start-ups can scale up easily. Where bureaucracy is cut drastically – even in small things like ensuring road safety without over complicating peoples’ lives.”
She pleaded for Europe to rise “to rise to the hype and ensure that we allow our businesses, our researchers, our engineers, our coders and our patent-holders, the space they need to compete, to innovate and to lead.”
On the need to simplify and cut back regulation, she said: “Europe’s simplification agenda needs to signal the start of a new Europe and with the upcoming MFF, trigger an economic boom.”
President Metsola argued that this European Parliament is fundamentally different from the one of 2019: “We reformed, we move faster without reducing our scrutiny and legislative obligations. It is why MEPs question attempts to tone down the involvement of the European Parliament on critical, often divisive issues. Europe is nothing without its people. Using Treaty provisions like Article 122 is not Smarter Europe, but the opposite. We will always insist on strengthening of Parliament’s right of initiative.”
A stronger Europe
“A strong Europe is an outward looking Europe that can sense opportunities and chase them down”. Speaking specifically about trade with the US, Metsola said: “A comprehensive deal should be the end goal of negotiations with the United States. There is no greater alliance, no stronger ‘meeting of democratic minds’, in the history of the modern world that has shaped so many lives and created so much prosperity. We must keep building and reinforcing it, while remaining ready for any scenario”.
“Adapting must mean that we are capable of not shying away from the benefits of forging a new, closer, relationship not only with the US but with Canada and with the United Kingdom. Yes, Brexit still means Brexit. Yes, the realities of geography are what they are. But extraordinary times call for extraordinary moments and we need to get out of our traditional comfort zones. Ensuring a strong strategic partnership with the United Kingdom will benefit us all and boost transatlantic cooperation.”
A safer Europe
Referring to defence, Metsola said: “Spending more on defence and security is the first step. But throwing money at the problem will not solve it alone. Bringing our defence industries together, is the smart move forward. Of course, that means finding synergies between national security policies but more importantly, it means resisting the temptation of short-term gains in favour of a long-term, strategic approach.”
“Every Member State now understands that for Europe to control its own destiny it must be able to operate in a world that that is more dangerous and unstable than before. We need to be ready as we double down on our efforts for peace and on our continued support for Ukraine. It was the message symbolised so importantly by President Macron, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk and Prime Minister Starmer’s Europe Day visit to Ukraine.”
Ending with a positive outlook, the President argued that “Europe is still the greatest political project in history. It is still the best place in the world to live and start a family in. We have no short of capacity, talent, capital, people and innovators – to lead and renew.”