Interview with Magdalena, 62, slovak, retired
Question: What comes to mind when I say ‘European Union’?
Magdalena: A new model of inter-states relations, the end of the Cold War, a free market, free circulation, no ideology and the cohabitation of European nations.
Question: At the moment, what opinion do you think the people have of the EU?
Magdalena: It is unknown. It sometimes reminds us of the supreme organs of the Party under the Old regime. At that time we were not able to know more but now it should be different, we should know more. Maybe not enough people are employed to ensure the circulation and the translation of information coming from Brussels. Furthermore, this information has to remain clear and simple otherwise one might not feel like caring about it.
Question: What fears do your people have of the EU?
Magdalena: They fear the Western European way of organizing labor that is different from the old regime’s one. Their adaptation is going to be tough. People are afraid of novelty even if it may be unjustified. Who are the European politicians and are their human qualities better than our national politicians?
Question: From what you read in the newspapers or seen on the TV, how is the relationship between Slovakia and countries like Germany and France? And what do you think about it?
Magdalena: Slovakian projects and/or propositions must not have the same weight as those countries’ since they are bigger taxpayers in the European budget. However, I believe that the smaller states’ propositions, as long as they are reasonable and pursue a common good, should be taken into consideration. What bothers me is whether our MEPs can express specific ideological concerns or they have to stick to general matters.
Question: What would be your worst idea about the EU?
Magdalena: A bad coordination or intransigent position. Corruption as well. I wonder if the EU can tackle upcoming challenges such as terrorism, environment and energy. What about its position towards Russia or the US.
Question: Do you know how the EU works?
Magdalena: No, as I said, it is an unknown entity. I know some good things are coming out of it: stricter environmental protection and security for instance. However some of the regulations are blindly applied by Member States. For instance, the Slovakian sanitary authority decided to test the meat during a traditional ceremony were pigs were slaughtered. A piece of the meat was to be tested and two days were needed to fulfill the proper tests while the rest of the animal was waiting in a fridge. A compromise has been reached to avoid such a situation but the population blamed the EU for creating such a messy situation. However it was not true. But how can the people know that when even local authorities don’t know how the EU works.
Question: What do you think about the role of your national parliament?
Magdalena: Sometimes, it works well and good decisions are taken, real problems are solved. However, one should be able to know more about its representatives. Slovakia is considered as a unique district and it is unbearable. Slovakian regions should have more competences, given that they have specialists on the topic in question for sure.
Question: Did you participate in the European elections in 2004 (with a turnout of only 16%)? Why?
Magdalena: No because the political parties haven’t given my enough useful information. That’s why I decided to solve my problems on my own instead of going to vote.
Question: According to you, what should the EU focus on? And why the EU should itself deal with it?
Magdalena: The EU should focus on the quality of life and ensure the equality of chances. Environment should also be its concern. It should make sure that Member States implement the acquis communautaire and universal laws. I wonder how the European funds are spent.
Question: Do you think that it is important to have, on the international scene, a Europe as one entity in the world or do you think it's better to have strong States who cooperate together?
Magdalena: Both are appealing. But, in the first case, we might lose our identity. To answer this question is hard because it’s our future we are talking about. Anyway, the right solution will come out of free choices and referendum.
Question: Would you like the EU to become a federal State?
Magdalena: It could have its advantages and its disadvantages. Abuses of power will be easier. Good and central decisions could be reached in case the continent would be compromised. But that also applies for bad decisions and it could be tougher for smaller states. How would such a state deal with the minorities’ issues?
Question: What about a European army?
Magdalena: Every state should have its army but part of the later should be ready to serve the European interest when necessary. .
Question: Should there be a common language in the EU?
Magdalena: For practical reasons, yes. Once, I saw French people refusing or ignoring their English translator to favor a direct discussion with their interlocutor. Maybe the texts should be translated into two or three languages and only the most important ones should be translated in all languages.
Question: According to you, is the EU too bureaucratic?
Magdalena: I don’t know but, in principle, I can suppose that where there is one single centre, excessive bureaucracy is always possible. Maybe some mechanisms should be implemented to check it like barometer or evaluation. But anyway, there must be mysterious and impenetrable ways.
Question: Would you say that the EU is democratic?
Magdalena: It is far from being a real athenian democracy but it is still better that a divided Europe with people like Franco or Ceaucescu. It is an approximate democracy. Citizens should participate more and enjoy their liberty of speech. However, we don’t all have free access to the media.
