Event report

Welcome address: First Mayor Stephan Schlier keynote speech: Dr. Renke Deckarm, Regional Representation of the European Commission in Munich Eva Feldmann-Wojtachnia from the Center for Applied Political Science of the LMU Munich Organisation: Monika Hermann, Pro-Europe Network Munich & Upper Bavaria, Pulse of Europe — Rosenheim On the outcome of the citizens’ debate: Under corona-related conditions, 16 citizens took part in the discussion. However, not all participants participated in every question, so the total number of votes cast is not always the same. The event lasted approximately 2.5 hours. Question 1: Must the EU become more sovereign in order to better represent its interests in the world? The discussion showed that the EU should become more sovereign, but in order to become this, the conditions are to be improved. In particular, there is a need for greater unity between the Member States. The main arguments were: • It is difficult to define pan-European interests because there is not yet a sufficient European public. One would need pan-European news programmes and newspapers. • The European community of values must be more lived before we can talk about sovereignty. • People are too unaware of Europe; there is still too much lack of a common narrative, also in relation to the common history and common memories. We would need much more communication with each other and would have to have much more opportunities to know people from other Member States. • Most of today’s crises are world crises, which is why we need to think bigger than Europe. Europe should therefore first of all become more sovereign inwards by becoming some. Brexit is a good example: The remaining 27 EU Member States were united and sovereign. • The unity is much greater than is often seen. There is already a great deal of urgency with regard to many questions and we have already achieved a lot in Europe, such as freedom to travel and the euro. He’s strong and “skin' well.” But the Member States still need to become some, from fiscal policy to defence. • Europe’s security is to be secured by the US, and European defence is therefore not necessary • Europe must defend its interests. It cannot be that negotiations, which also affect the future of Europe, are conducted between the US and Russia and that Europe is not involved in it. • The EU must become more confident. Things like “sofa gate” aren't allowed to happen. • The EU needs to improve its “marketing”. The regional representations of the Eu-ropean institutions in particular need to become more visible. • Youth should also be addressed in a more targeted manner. Many young people take Europe as a matter of course and therefore do not think too much. Result of the vote on the question: Must the EU become more sovereign in order to better represent its interests in the world? • 12 votes in favour • 1 against • 1 abstention Question 2: Is it intended to improve the EU’s capacity to act by abolishing the veto rights of individual Member States as far as possible (the so-called unanimity principle)? Almost all of them supported the widest possible abolition of the right of veto of individual Member States (so-called unanimity principle). • Individual states should not be able to block the others. • The unanimity principle must be gone because there is always one against it. • If you can always block, it’s not democracy. • However, one must be able to accept the majority decisions. • Let the veto right go away. There must be more pressure from the people here, especially on the heads of government, who like to use the right of veto. Result of the vote on the question: Is it intended to improve the EU’s capacity to act by abolishing the veto rights of individual Member States as far as possible (the so-called unanimity principle)? • 13 votes in favour • 0 against • 1 abstention Question 3: How can the competitiveness of the European economy be ensured? What concrete measures would you support? Protection of key technologies Protection of operational data Protection of strategic infrastructure Targeted to promote technologies of the future where Europe can still become world-leading Other? It is true that a large majority of these measures have been in favour of these measures; however, it was also considered that this was not a task of the EU, but of the economy. As a measure not mentioned above, in particular, a strengthening of competitiveness through more education and better implementation of basic research to avoid loss of talent was mentioned. The main arguments were: • You don't need to ask the citizens, that’s what the economy decides. • No, that’s not what the economy is doing. The EU should set the regulatory framework here; also with regard to the values that the economy must respect. • I am absolutely in favour of these measures, then we are perceived as sovereign. Europe is an economic power. • Key technologies in particular need to be protected. • In terms of competitiveness, we need to take a step earlier: If we need competitive products, we need to improve education. • Above all, intercultural education needs to be strengthened in Europe. • European education programmes need to be further strengthened. • More needs to be done to promote research. We are good at basic research, but not in implementation. We must take action against the loss of talent. Result of the vote on the question: How can the competitiveness of the European economy be ensured? In this respect, would you support the protection of key technologies, operational data and the protection of strategic infrastructure by the EU? • 9 votes in favour • 1 against • 3 abstention Should the EU specifically promote technologies of the future where Europe can still be world-leading? • 14 votes in favour • 0 against • 0 abstention Question 4: Should the EU be further developed in terms of fiscal policy? Which of these measures would you support? Euro as the leading international currency Own resources of the EU Investment Community of EU Member States Other? A clear majority of the EU’s fiscal policy developments have been supported, with a number of participants not actively involved in this issue. As regards the other necessary measures, the need for a European Minister of Finance was immediately and repeatedly mentioned. More own resources for the EU were supported. More uniform taxes were requested. The main arguments were: • The EU needs a finance minister and a defence minister. Part of our taxes should be handed over to the EU. Only with own resources can it become more capable of acting. This statement is widely supported. • The EU must be just as capable of acting as the nation states now. • We need not only a finance minister, but also uniform taxes (VAT, etc.) • There is a need for more central European decision-making and action for Europe as a whole. Result of the vote on the question: Should the EU be further developed in terms of fiscal policy? • 10 votes in favour • 0 against • 4 abstention Question 5: Better protection of the EU’s external borders, including in order not to be extorted by third countries. Should the protection of external borders be more responsible for the EU? The greatest possible support has been given to improving the protection of external borders. Overall, external border protection should also be more EU responsibility. The question of “how” was disputed. External border protection was seen in the context of the Schengen Agreement and in the context of migration. The main arguments were: • External border protection is important in order to restore the implementation of the Schengen Agreement. • We need external border protection, but we need to create legal pathways to the EU. • To protect refugees, we must show responsibility. We can't accommodate everyone, but we have to treat those who are there well. • Our culture must be strong; our values must be conveyed. • EU external border protection can only exist if the issue of the distribution of refugees has been clarified (coupling). Frontex is critical. • The rhetoric of the EU is divided: Protection of external borders by the EU yes, but no fencing) • The same rights must apply everywhere at the EU’s external borders. • The situation in the refugee camps is unsustainable. Here, the EU needs to put humanitarian Stan-dards. Result of the vote on the questions: Better protection of the EU’s external borders, including in order not to be blackmailed by third countries. • 13 votes in favour • 0 against • 1 abstention Should external border protection be more EU responsibility? • 9 votes in favour • 0 against • 3 abstentions Question 6: Should the EU’s defence structures be strengthened and strengthened? Since the issue of defence had already been discussed in the debate from the point of view of the EU’s sovereignty and the time had already been advanced, it was no longer discussed, but only voted. Result of the vote on the question: Should the EU’s defence structures be strengthened and strengthened? • 10 votes in favour • 1 against • 3 abstentions