BY H. BULENT KAHRAMAN
RADIKAL- The European Union is likely to face even more serious problems in the future. It would be a historic step for the bloc if its member countries manage to transform the enlargement process into a ‘people’s movement’ from its current status as an elitist project. Let’s not forget that the EU project is dead now, and this is the only way to resurrect it.
First of all, the EU should stop acting like a tool of a ‘misguided globalization process.’ Thus, the bloc should stop trying to implement pure neoliberal policies. What will happen if two rightists, Sarkozy and Merkel, win upcoming elections in France and Germany? Will they shelve the EU project forever? Will these two radical rightist leaders completely shut out the concept of democracy from their policies? How will Europe deal with a possible rise of rightist movements? Would this mean the end of democracy?
At this juncture, there are two important elements:
The first is Turkey. Under the current circumstances, Turkey should transform itself and immediately improve its democracy to meet the EU’s criteria. The current political crossroads doesn’t work in our favor since the EU is likely to soon become a Christian club. The second is whether or not the EU wants to become a global power. There is a critical point here: This completely depends on the EU’s relations with the United States. In fact, the international community needs the EU to prevent the US from being the world’s sole hegemonic power.
Finally we can summarize the current situation as follows: 1) The EU project is dead in its current form. However, this should not mean that we want it to be shelved as a mere pipe dream. 2) The basis of any possible EU project should be democracy. Therefore Turkey must continue its relations with the EU and reiterate that it belongs in Europe. This is the only way that we can transform ourselves and brighten our future. If we fail to do so, a possible rise of rightist movements in Europe would be felt in our country too. I don’t want to even think about what would happen if rightists were to win elections in Turkey.