Doomed to succeed
During a discussion event following the General Assembly of the Paneuropa Movement Austria, Karl von Habsburg and MEP Lukas Mandl called for a clear commitment to European integration. By Charles Steiner.
Think globally, act locally: The EU is a community of destiny that can only prosper if everyone within it prospers. For MEP Lukas Mandl, the European Union is indeed the sole guarantor of peace – yet it faces massive challenges – both “from without and from within”. The world and Europe are in turmoil, on the one hand due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the policies of US President Donald Trump, as well as Moscow’s destabilisation policy; on the other hand, due to the populism rampant in many countries of the Union. “Three factors characterise populism: it is destructive and divisive, it operates with conspiracy theories and false facts.” Peaceful coexistence can only be achieved through the principle of subsidiarity; the state should only intervene where it is needed, leaving everything else to the appropriate levels. For centralism is equally harmful. Mandl quotes Montesquieu: “When it is not necessary to make a law, it is necessary not to make a law.” Subsidiarity would be appropriate in sensitive areas such as disaster control and water protection: “The EU must be able to intervene itself in the event of a disaster, where previously the USA and Russia provided aid.”
Karl von Habsburg addresses the current “reality show” surrounding Brexit. “It is only one week before Brexit, and still nothing has been decided. Brexit shows: there is no alternative to Europe; the EU is doomed to succeed.” He speaks of power blocs, in contrast to the European Union, which have established themselves throughout history: the bipolar bloc with the USA and the Warsaw Pact, followed by the unipolar bloc with the USA, and now the multipolar bloc with the United States, Russia, and China. Within this, Europe must play a significant role.
Europe will change
Referring to the yellow vests in France and President Macron’s intention to introduce books of grievances for citizens, he recalls the French Revolution: “Louis XVI also introduced books of grievances; 60,000 books were filled in the process. The fate of Louis XVI is well known,” said the President of the Paneuropa Movement Austria, who was re-elected to his post. Europe’s identity will change, but it must first be defined. “It is essential to create a European identity; to this end, we must evaluate what can be kept and what should be abolished. The masses need access to prosperity; the middle class is a vital pillar of Europe.” One must not think nationally, but European. He sees European identity clearly defined in the symbol of the Paneuropa Movement: the cross for the Christian tradition, the yellow circle for the Hellenistic heritage, and the twelve stars for the Mother of God.”
At the General Assembly of the Paneuropa Movement Austria, which took place before the event, the Presidium was newly elected. Karl von Habsburg was confirmed in his role as President. Furthermore, the following were elected to the Presidium: Vice-Presidents: Elisabeth Ulm and Johann Hörtnagl; Secretary: Charles Joseph Steiner; Treasurer: Rainhard Kloucek; further members of the Presidium: Vinzenz Stimpfl-Abele, Stefan Haböck, Philipp Jauernik, and Ludwig Draxler. In the constituent meeting of the Presidium, Rainhard Kloucek was confirmed in his role as Secretary General upon the proposal of Karl von Habsburg.
The featured image shows, from left to right: Karl von Habsburg, Lukas Mandl MEP, Philipp Jauernik (who moderated the event), and Korneuburg city councillor Andreas Minnich.
