The Malta Independent
Who could have imagined that French socialists will be supporting incumbent president Chirac to win another term of seven years at the Elysee when the final round of the presidential elections will be held on 5 May`
`These sort of impossibles are rendered probable in the political world when the alternative to supporting the enemy would be that of supporting a bigger enemy`
`These sort of impossibles are rendered probable in the political world when the alternative to supporting the enemy would be that of supporting a bigger enemy. But the outcome of last Sunday`s first round of the French presidential elections need some deep reflection. What sort of society is this that while endeavouring to forge a European Union from the Atlantic to the borders of Russia, nearly one-fifth of the electorate in France wish to have as their president an ultra nationalist like Le Pen` There is obviously a counter argument to this. The European integration process could be considered as the best guarantee to ensure that such extremism is kept in check. Just as the Haider party in Austria has been forced to jettison their worst ideologies by moral pressure from EU member countries, it is likely that in the final decisive round the French will vote to re-elect the `enemy` as president in preference to the bigger enemy, thus ensuring that such dangerous minority forces remain in check. This concept of supporting the `enemy` also is applicable on a global level. The events of 11 September have raised awareness of the risk of allowing the economic globalisation process entirely in the hands of market forces, which will strengthen the tension between the developed and developing world. <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]>
`Only with governments and leaders who have national interest at heart and who are free from corruption can developing countries exploit their economic potential`
The developed world should be much more sensitive to the need of managing the process to ensure that it spreads democracy to areas where it is still resisted rather than to make democracy and liberalism (in the European sense) become the principal cause of poverty and inequality. While aid and trade are clearly necessary to achieve this objective, the only real sustainable system for development of poverty stricken countries of the under-developed world is the harnessing, cultivation and release of their inner strengths. To help these countries get the leadership they truly deserve. Only with governments and leaders who have national interest at heart and who are free from corruption can developing countries exploit their economic potential and use their collective international weight against the formidable economic power of developed countries. The question is whether developed countries are prepared to allow this to happen or whether they want to continue to premise that weak governments and corruption in developing countries serve to preserve the developed world`s economic supremacy. To continue doing next to nothing to remove these real blockers for balanced global economic development. Economics is not a zero sum game. Development of the less developed world and eradication of poverty will bring wealth also to the developed countries that alone can supply the investment equipment needed for such development. So we also need better leaders in the developed world who can truly take an international perspective and not purely a nationalistic one. Leaders of developed world countries have an obligation that goes well beyond the shores of their jurisdiction and this is why Chirac, with all his sleaze, is a million times better than Le Pen. On the local front it is time for this country to reach political maturity and for our political parties to start including notions of supporting the enemy. Hence my proposal to precede the EU referendum with a general election and for both parties to commit themselves to honour an eventual referendum, which can be held without the pressure of an election. A referendum before the election that would be coming soon thereafter, can only be considered a stepping stone and consequently controversial and partisan.
Who could have imagined that French socialists will be supporting incumbent president Chirac to win another term of seven years at the Elysee when the final round of the presidential elections will be held on 5 May`
`These sort of impossibles are rendered probable in the political world when the alternative to supporting the enemy would be that of supporting a bigger enemy`
`These sort of impossibles are rendered probable in the political world when the alternative to supporting the enemy would be that of supporting a bigger enemy. But the outcome of last Sunday`s first round of the French presidential elections need some deep reflection. What sort of society is this that while endeavouring to forge a European Union from the Atlantic to the borders of Russia, nearly one-fifth of the electorate in France wish to have as their president an ultra nationalist like Le Pen` There is obviously a counter argument to this. The European integration process could be considered as the best guarantee to ensure that such extremism is kept in check. Just as the Haider party in Austria has been forced to jettison their worst ideologies by moral pressure from EU member countries, it is likely that in the final decisive round the French will vote to re-elect the `enemy` as president in preference to the bigger enemy, thus ensuring that such dangerous minority forces remain in check. This concept of supporting the `enemy` also is applicable on a global level. The events of 11 September have raised awareness of the risk of allowing the economic globalisation process entirely in the hands of market forces, which will strengthen the tension between the developed and developing world. <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]>
`Only with governments and leaders who have national interest at heart and who are free from corruption can developing countries exploit their economic potential`
The developed world should be much more sensitive to the need of managing the process to ensure that it spreads democracy to areas where it is still resisted rather than to make democracy and liberalism (in the European sense) become the principal cause of poverty and inequality. While aid and trade are clearly necessary to achieve this objective, the only real sustainable system for development of poverty stricken countries of the under-developed world is the harnessing, cultivation and release of their inner strengths. To help these countries get the leadership they truly deserve. Only with governments and leaders who have national interest at heart and who are free from corruption can developing countries exploit their economic potential and use their collective international weight against the formidable economic power of developed countries. The question is whether developed countries are prepared to allow this to happen or whether they want to continue to premise that weak governments and corruption in developing countries serve to preserve the developed world`s economic supremacy. To continue doing next to nothing to remove these real blockers for balanced global economic development. Economics is not a zero sum game. Development of the less developed world and eradication of poverty will bring wealth also to the developed countries that alone can supply the investment equipment needed for such development. So we also need better leaders in the developed world who can truly take an international perspective and not purely a nationalistic one. Leaders of developed world countries have an obligation that goes well beyond the shores of their jurisdiction and this is why Chirac, with all his sleaze, is a million times better than Le Pen. On the local front it is time for this country to reach political maturity and for our political parties to start including notions of supporting the enemy. Hence my proposal to precede the EU referendum with a general election and for both parties to commit themselves to honour an eventual referendum, which can be held without the pressure of an election. A referendum before the election that would be coming soon thereafter, can only be considered a stepping stone and consequently controversial and partisan.
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