The "main task" of the German presidency of the EU Council "will be to overcome the pandemic and treat its health, social and economic consequences”. The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, immediately made it clear to the EU Parliament what will be the fulcrum of the program that will be carried out during the German presidency of the European Semester.
To better face the crisis caused by the coronavirus, Merkel continues, "we need unity in the tools: reliability for the 2021-27 multi-year financial plan, but also for the recovery plan, because we are faced with an unknown situation. Our European economy has been severely shaken, millions of jobs have been lost, citizens have lived in fear of their economic survival and now they need our support."
MERKEL: RECOVERY FUND BY SUMMER
“We had imagined a different presidency” Merkel admitted to the European Parliament, but inevitably the next six months will be focused on the measures to be implemented to contain the economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Among them stands out above all the Recovery Fund. The chancellor recalled the Franco-German proposal relating to the establishment of a 500 billion fund to help European countries. "It is a pleasure to see that the EU Commission has taken it up again", Merkel said referring to the "Next Generation Eu" plan, presented on May 27th by the president of the community executive, Ursula Von der Leyen, and which will be discussed during the European Council of 17-18 July. It is good to clarify the figures: the Next Generation EU package provides for 750 billion in interventions, 500 billion in grants and 250 in loans to be repaid. The frugal would like to limit support to loans only, Merkel is therefore ready to support aid for 500 billion, provided that all is non-repayable.
The goal, Merkel said clearly and roundly, is to “find an understanding before the summer break. We can't waste time because the weakest would lose out”, added the chancellor, underlining the need to find a compromise between the various positions in the field.
"Germany is ready to demonstrate extraordinary solidarity”, he reiterated, “but the effort cannot weigh only on the strongest countries, we are all called to get involved. I ask for your support”, because “only joint action can protect Europe".
“We must not be naive. In many Member States, the Eurosceptics are waiting to exploit the crisis for their own ends,” Merkel explained. “We have to demonstrate the added value of cooperation at a European level, we have to demonstrate that a return to nationalism would make us all” weaker. “We can only make progress if we protect Europe together”.
After the call for cohesion and joint action Merkel seems to throw an assist to Italy and Spain: “The most affected regions must be able to rely on our solidarity”. Significant words spoken just as the leaders of the two countries, Giuseppe Conte and Pedro Sanchez were engaged in a joint press conference in Madrid during which they asked for the approval of the Recovery Fund by the end of the month.
THE OTHER POINTS OF THE PROGRAM
The chancellor then illustrated the other key points of the German program for the next semester. A wide-ranging plan that goes from the management of migration flows to strengthen the programme Youth Guarantee, with a view to an active interest in the future of young people and children. The fight against the climate change. “A global solution to climate change will only be possible if Europe acts as a pioneer,” Merkel said, declaring that the road ahead must lead the EU “towards a zero-emission economy. For me it is important that climate neutrality, as a goal, is formalized in a legal way”.
Other key points of the German program will be the digital breakthrough and future relations with the UK after Brexit. On the latter issue, Merkel recalled the importance of “reaching an agreement by the end of the year. I will work for a positive solution, but we must also prepare for the opposite."
THE WORDS OF VON DER LEYEN
After Merkel, the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke in front of the plenary: “The challenge that awaits the German presidency and all of us is extraordinary. We have entered the worst recession in 100 years. Estimates show a contraction of more than 8% with only a partial recovery next year. This crisis is worse than the one 10 years ago ”, she said, reiterating the importance of reacting differently:“ We must draw lessons from the past. We have to work together to get out of the crisis”, he said, recalling the importance of approving the Next Generation EU plan quickly.
"The economic recovery is inseparable from the Green deal and digitalisation" added the president, asking the European parliamentarians to "not neglect the multiannual budget". Finally, Von der Leyen highlighted that “Solidarity means that those in need will have more support, but investments will be linked to the reforms and recommendations of the semester. Each Member State has tasks to do. If we want to emerge stronger from the crisis we must all change for the better ”, she concluded.
