[Opinion] In defence of Charles Michel

On the opposite aspect of the coin you’ve got the place itself. That function is the president of the European Council. A place that’s notoriously referred to as having the status, but missing the ability, versus the European Fee presidency, which has the ability sans the status. However the reformist he’s — his Liberal political get together known as the Reformist Motion — he set out an formidable re-interpretation of the function throughout his practically five-year mandate.

And that led to an avalanche of political backlash.

I say practically as a result of that’s the crux of why persons are criticising him — he’s being referred to as a “deserter”. An “irresponsible” traitor to the European Union, who put self-interest over “self-sacrifice”. Sense of responsibility over irresponsibility. Who as a substitute of ending the second time period of his most five-year mandate — 4 years and 364 days to be extra exact — determined to go away 4 years and 226 days into the mandate, with practically 4 months to go. A call that would have extreme implications on his potential successor, as Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the Council in July.

However did he? Is he? Or fairly, can he? And that brings us again to the primary level — it’s not the act in itself that’s actually being criticised. It’s the ambition. The ‘audacity’ to need to proceed to run for workplace, exploit his youthfulness and never cease his profession in public service.

For if Michel was previous and discreet — “forgettable” as some would say — he would have been handled and painted as critically as he’s now, as was the case for the one different Belgian to know what it feels to carry the place of president, Herman Van Rompuy. Damned should you do, damned should you do not.

But, the duty of stopping the hazard of a potential usurpation of energy by Hungary’s Viktor Orban ought to lie on the council members, not the president.

Michel gave a ample discover interval for his departure — six months. If Michel had been to as a substitute abruptly resign now, it might be irresponsible. The onus might be on the council members to step up and discover a appropriate ad-interim president.

Moreover, Europe has made it a behavior to tear down these with ambition and imaginative and prescient. And that’s backfiring within the elections throughout the continent. Europeans are being disengaged by the bickering and bashing, as a substitute of being impressed by concepts and improvements. Cease bashing the individual. If something, bash the place.

Campaigner-in-chief

In actuality, one of the best plan of action can be to not bash in any respect, however fairly name for a severe reform of the place. To sentence the presidents of the council from campaigning for elections close to the top of their time period, would sign a continuation of the true drawback — reserving the place for leaders with an ambition to be revered but forgotten. The council deserves higher. Europe deserves higher.

Michel’s need to return to campaigning in Belgium and go to the European Parliament is nice for Europe. As Belgium dangers falling into the fingers of the intense wings within the upcoming elections, a Michel on the marketing campaign path would make for a stronger and extra dependable Belgian presence within the parliament. That is good not just for Belgium, however for the parliament and the council.

And whereas it’s truthful to argue and debate his file as president many occasions over, one factor is not — his ardour and dedication for Europe. I’ve campaigned with him. He’s a fervent public servant who wishes to commit his profession to serving the general public good and to proceed being useful.

Sure, possibly, as a substitute of simply being a glorified standard-bearer, Michel determined to be a shaker. However on the finish of the day, one factor is evident. And that’s, that we have to merely cease the bickering, and begin accepting that Michel did the fitting factor.