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European People's Party Leader Sees German Vote As Major Setback

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

Text of interview with Wilfried Martens, chairman of the European People's Party, by Bernard Bulcke on 18 September; place not given, entitled "German elections major setback for EPP" published by the Belgian newspaper De Standaard website on 20 September; newspaper introduction

Brussels: "This is a major problem for us, too," EPP [European People's Party] Chairman Wilfried Martens said with respect to the weak election result obtained by CDU/CSU [Christian Democratic Union/ Christian Social Union] candidate Angela Merkel in Sunday's [18 September] legislative elections in Germany. Merkel was supposed to become the EPP's new figurehead at European council meetings.

Chairman Wilfried Martens of the EPP, which consists of Christian Democrats and conservatives, did not mince his words yesterday. "Angela Merkel was to become the EPP's figurehead at European council meetings. Without a German, the European Christian Democrats will have less clout in European meetings. However, this is not the only important element. Merkel has also promised her policies would generally seek to promote a renewed European dynamism. This is absolutely necessary, now more than ever."

[Bulcke] Is her position, after such a bad score, not bound to be weak, even if she becomes chancellor?

[Martens] Everything will now depend on this. There is still a chance. In the end, what will matter is whether or not she will be able to form a strong and efficient government. The government formation talks will be utterly important for Europe.

[Bulcke] How do you explain her weak score?

[Martens] She conducted an extremely difficult campaign. People who say loudly and clearly what measures need to be taken are bound to be whistled back. Public opinion has apparently opted for stagnation and for the preservation of acquired rights. With an overall score of 45 per cent, the CDU/CSU and FDP [Free Democratic Party] are facing a strong leftwing majority.

The campaign may have paid insufficient attention to social issues. There is much anxiety and insecurity in Germany. I think Merkel's openness regarding value added tax increases and her campaign in favour of a flat tax [preceding two words published in English] have really ruined her campaign.

[Bulcke] Did she really have to cut herself such a clear profile vis-a-vis Schroeder? Schroeder also took some drastic measures. As a matter of fact, these measures gave rise to the election.

[Martens] In campaigns that are mainly fought via the media, one needs to stress differences. In addition, many topics are being presented in a simplified way.

[Bulcke] Do you expect changes at the European level if Merkel becomes chancellor?

[Martens] I think so. She will follow [former Chancellor] Kohl's line...

[Bulcke] But will she not be compelled to adopt an equally rigid stance on the EU multiyear budget as Schroeder did, who wanted to limit the EU budget to 1 per cent of the European GNP?

[Martens] Of course, she will not be able to display the same generosity as Helmut Kohl. However, she would never have sent a letter officially requesting limiting the EU budget to 1 per cent of Europe's GNP, as Schroeder did.

[Bulcke] What about Turkey?

[Martens] This will primarily depend on the government coalition that will take shape. The FDP's standpoint has already moved in Merkel's direction, who suggests offering Turkey a privileged partnership status. However, now that the coalition may also include a leftwing party, the CDU may see itself compelled to review its stance.

Source: BBC Monitoring European

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