01 May 2013

European Voice: EU needs Letta to keep Italy on the right path

The EU needs a resurgent Italy to play an active part at the heart of European affairs. The dynamics of the EU are at present desperately off-balance. Germany is dominant, though it will become increasingly preoccupied with domestic politics as the autumn's federal elections draw closer. In France, the economy is heading towards recession, unemployment is rising and President Francois Hollande's administration looks politically weak... Meanwhile the United Kingdom, which has sometimes aspired to give leadership to the EU, is economically anaemic and is wrapped up in its own domestic political battles over Europe. With Spain's economic situation weaker even than France's, Poland is arguably the only large Member State that can offer some prospect of stability to live up to German standards. 

Mario Monti's caretaker government, however, briefly provided a degree of balance to the European Council, partly because Monti commanded respect among other national leaders and partly because Italy is one of the biggest Member States and a founder member of the EU. For a few months, Italy once again lived up to its claim to a place at Europe's top table, before Monti's administration was undermined and early elections were called. 

Few can doubt that Letta aspires to reclaim that place at the top table. His academic studies focused on the EU; he is a former member of the European Parliament; he has served as minister for Europe. Intellectually, professionally, instinctively, he wants to contribute to the EU's wellbeing. But he has to earn that top-table place. Calling for an end to the policies of austerity is not enough.

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