The EU lacks a common economic policy

The daily Le Monde criticises the EU's track record on economic policy in the wake of the European elections: "Europeans have only one thing on their minds: the crisis. That can explain so many people's indifference for Europe. Brussels played almost no role in managing the trauma that broke out last autumn. Nor did it become active later on when measures were being worked out to get the situation under control. The Eurozone has a common monetary policy, but there is no common recovery plan orcoordination of economic policy among the 27 member states. ... If the aim of those who refrained from voting was to punish institutional Europe for its lack of action in the crisis, they have the wrong target in their sights. Parliament is not to blame, [Commission President José Manuel] Barroso is. The man who lacks any hint of political charisma or economic imagination. Meanwhile the governments are getting ready to propose him for a new mandate as President of the Commission. That is very bad news for Europe."

» full article (external link, French)

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, June 9, 2009