Insulating the EU from domestic strife

Date: 04/01/1996

Once again, the European Union presidency is in the hands of a member state caught in the grip of a domestic political crisis.

As the fate of the Italian government continues to hang in the balance, other EU leaders are waiting anxiously to see how the turmoil might affect the Union as it gears up for a crucial six months which will herald the start of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

Political problems at home do not necessarily mean an unsuccessful EU presidency, as Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez demonstrated by turning in a remarkably good performance during his country's six months in charge, despite continual challenges to his authority in Madrid.

But the deep uncertainty now surrounding the future of Italian Prime Minister Lamberto Dini's technocratic government has prompted such concern that many now believe an early general election in Italy might be preferable to allowing the government to limp on, battered and bruised, for the next six months simply for the sake of continuity in Europe.

Italy's troubles have also highlighted the need for the IGC to consider the whole issue of whether the Union can continue to operate efficiently under the current system of rotating presidencies.

Of the last half a dozen countries to take their turn at the helm of the EU, only one - Belgium - has been spared a general election or domestic political instability during its term in office. Other recent incumbents, including Denmark, Germany and France as well as Spain, all faced political upheaval at home which affected their handling of the presidency to a greater or lesser extent.

It remains to be seen whether Italy can emulate its Spanish predecessor by insulating tenure of the presidency from domestic political tensions.

But even if it succeeds, this cannot be allowed to mask the urgent need for reforms in the system to prevent the Union's development from being constantly threatened by the domestic problems of individual member states.

Some member states have already expressed reluctance to contemplate any change in the status quo because of fears that their role as equal partners in the Union could be undermined

But it is essential that a way is found to overcome this now seemingly perennial problem.

Failure to do so will further undermine public confidence in the enterprise, by creating the impression of a Union which is rudderless and leaderless at such a crucial stage in its development.