Luxembourg Prime Minister: Do not fall for the siren call of populism
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel called on the EU to remain open and fight off protectionism.
Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg in the ninth This is Europe debate on 19 April 2023, Bettel delivered an impassioned speech, urging MEPs to defend the fundamentals of freedom and respect that the EU is based on in the face of populism and global and internal challenges.
He underlined that it is vital for the EU to remain open, both towards the world and among its own member states, despite geopolitical tensions that are encouraging protectionism. “Our problems are common. Protectionism makes you poorer,” Bettel said.
Luxembourg’s prime minister urged MEPs to protect free movement and the internal market in upcoming legislation and called for a “truly common European migration policy” based on the proposed European Asylum and Migration Pact.
He took direct aim at those seeking to undermine the rule of law in the EU and said that it must remain the backbone of the EU, including in the defence of the rights of minorities.
On the war in Ukraine, Bettel called on the EU to remain united against “Russia’s unacceptable aggression”, while delivering arms, financial aid and reconstruction efforts to Ukraine and accompanying it on the road to eventual EU accession.
MEPs welcomed Prime Minister Bettel’s commitment to building a more equal Europe, defending the rule of law in the EU, the European Green Deal and institutional reforms related to the upcoming European elections.
Some MEPs warned that the EU is at a crossroads in the face of the Russian war in Ukraine and called for Europe to have its own, independent military forces and more European sovereignty based on unity. Others criticised Luxembourg’s corporate tax regime.