Sunday 12 February 2017

Juncker´s faux pas

Jean-Claude Juncker has announced he will not seek re-election at the end of his current term as President of the European Commission. I doubt the wisdom of such a disclosure. He still has almost three years to go before the end of his mandate. An early announcement weakens his position at a time the EU needs strong leadership. Furthermore, this decision can be read as a statement of despair when we need to revive the sentiment of hope in the future of the Union.


Juncker might be very bitter about the present state of affairs. He can say so. Actually, he should say it but with elegance. At the same time, he must be seen as a fighter and not as a quitter. In his position, criticism has to be tempered with room for a change of course. By making public his state of mind about his own future he has further contributed to the climate of gloom that is permeating many European circles. He must correct that. 

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