simon, germany

Simon is a 26 years old student in geophysics and volcanology currently working on his master thesis. He has traveled a lot in Europe but also around the world for the purpose of his studies.

Question: What comes into your mind when you think about the EU?
Simon: The possibility to travel without passports, to pay with the same currency in all countries, a strong economic and political alliance.

Question: What fears do your people have from the EU?
Simon: Mainly economical fears e.g. that cheaper manpower is easily allowed to enter the country and thereby wages will drop down. Companies fear cheaper produced goods, mainly from Eastern Europe, that will, without import duties (or the much lower duties in the EU respectively), make the production in Germany unprofitable.

Question: In the moment, what opinion do you think the people have on the EU?
Simon: It depends on which part of the society you ask. To speak for my part,  for the students, I would say it�s a good one.

Question: Do you know how the EU works?
Simon: Roughly.

Question: If I told you that about 70% of the new laws in your country come from Brussels, would that be ok for you?
Simon: yes.

Question: Would you like to safeguard some competences to the Members of the German Parliament (MP's) knowing that they know better Germany and the German people or do you agree on transferring more competences to Brussels?
Simon: I think some competences should be left to the MP's, such as regional decisions.

Question: According to you, what should the EU focus on? And why the EU should itself deal with it?
Simon: To bring finally the Constitution on the way, because every parliament needs a Constitution.

Question: Would you like the EU to become a federal State (e.g. the United States of Europe)?
Simon: No. I would firmly disagree, especially if it is governed by some idiot like Bush!

Question: You say you would like to have a Constitution but you don't want a federal state. But the Constitution is actually setting up the bases of a federal state (Common foreign minister, EU president, national anthem, qualified majority voting,...) Did you know that, and, if not, what do you think?
Simon: I didn't know anything about the anthem. But the rest is ok for me. My only point is that I don't want a total loss of national identity and culture.

Question: What about a European army?
Simon: don�t we have that already? Or is the question asking for a fixed troop? Then I would say no.

Question: If I may summarize what you said until now, you seem to be quite sure that there should be a limit to the development of the EU. How do we know where that limit is?
Simon: the geographical limit to the extension of the EU is, obviously, Russia in the East.  In terms of development, I don�t know but I think it�s important to preserve national culture and language of the member countries.

Question: Do you think this is worth the adventure? Do you think the whole development is too fast?
Simon: too fast? Are you kidding? And it�s definitely worth it!

Question: Do you think there should be more information on the European institutional system (as it has a big impact on our life but we don't even know how it works)?
Simon: Yes I do. Although we learn a lot in school about it, changes and novelties are rarely presented.

Question: Do you think that setting up a European tax would raise the people's interest in the EU or it would only be another step towards a United States of Europe structure.
Simon: Why would a tax raise any interest? It would raise anger and frustration.

Question: Is the EU too bureaucratic?
Simon: Yes! Definitely.  

Question: Do you think that it is important to have a Europe as one entity in the world or do you think it's better to have strong States who cooperate together?
Simon: it is important to act as an entity and speak with one voice. Otherwise there�s no chance against USA, China, Russia...

Question: Is the EU an example of democracy?
Simon: the EU itself yes. But that can�t be stated for all the Member States.

Question: Is it possible for states that have a democratic deficit to build a democratic Union?
Simon: I at least doubt it. That's why I don't want Turkey to enter (if human rights, freedom of press and freedom of cult are characteristics of a democracy). Let�s hope the rest can, maybe a change from the Union to the countries can happen, under pressure of the member states. So membership would not only be a privilege but also a commitment.

Question: Should there be a common language in the EU?
Simon: I would like to have one. A language that every child would learn in school as a first language. Because understanding each other is the most important thing in a democracy.

Question: What would that language be? On what basis should it be chosen?Simon: Difficult one. A basis could be of course to look what the major part of European population speaks as first language, but I don�t believe German would be a good choice. I would simply prefer English, because it's in my eyes the easiest one.