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European summit under the shadow of Trump's victory

2024-11-08 08:48:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The USA was the main topic of the summit of the European Political Community. The crisis of the German government played only a minor role in Budapest.

As soon as it was confirmed that Donald Trump will return to the White House, not a single bad word about him was heard from the European leaders. The vast majority of the 47 heads of state and government gathered in Budapest for the summit of the "European Political Community" (EPG) think that the partnership with the US will continue. And knowing that the winner of the election in Washington is sensitive to personal flattery, many European politicians praised the self-centered president's "magnificent" campaign, "historic" success and "great comeback."

Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom Donald Trump wants to cut money for the war to protect himself from Russia, said after the phone conversation with Trump that she had been very good and that he "appreciated the family and the team of Trump for their great work.” Zelensky said he is looking forward to “an era of strong America under the energetic leadership of President Trump.” This should please Donald Trump, who claimed during the election campaign that he could t 'ending Russia's war against Ukraine within 24 hours.' In a stirring speech in Budapest, President Zelensky also warned that concessions to Russia would be "suicide for Europe". of the USA

NATO's new Secretary General Mark Rutte said at the EPG summit in Budapest that he looks forward to working with the Trump administration "to achieve peace through force". Rutte said this had worked so wonderfully during Trump's first four years in office. Really? Apparently, Trump's threats during the election campaign not to protect NATO countries that do not increase their military budgets in accordance with the NATO treaty have been forgotten.

French President Emmanuel Macron said at the summit that Europe should not forever leave its defense in the hands of the Americans. "Do we want others to write history, Vladimir Putin's wars, US elections or China's trade policies? Or do we want to write our own history? I think we have the strength to write it," Macron said.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, warned his European colleagues not to react "with hysteria" to Trump's victory, but to look at reality and wait for Trump's concrete policies. "This could also be an opportunity for Europe to change things and see things differently", said Edi Rama. Ultimately, higher defense spending in Europe under pressure from Trump led to a stronger NATO. Spending, about two percent of gross national product, rose faster, especially after the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022 — when President Joe Biden was in office. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is more inclined towards Russia than the West, sees Trump's victory as an opportunity. "I hope that now it will be possible to talk about a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine," said Vucic. Any agreement is better than the current state of war.

The dissolution of the German government coalition and the EU

After Trump's victory in a difficult period in the field of economy and security policy, the government crisis in Germany is not favorable for Europeans. However, all European colleagues of Olaf Scholz said that the change of government is a completely normal democratic process. Austria and Belgium are also currently struggling with difficult coalition negotiations. New elections have also been announced in Ireland, while in France a prime minister governs with a variable majority.

Even the official line of the EU Commission is: a change of government in Germany will not derail the EU. According to the president of the EU Commission, the member states have difficulties to face the challenges themselves. "When we stand together, we have great power. And that is our greatest strength," said EU Commission President von der Leyen, who is said not to be on good terms with German Chancellor Scholz.

"Strategic Intimacy"

The European Political Community (EPG) was founded in 2022 as an anti-Russia forum - initiated by the French. EU member states, EU membership candidates as well as states that do not want to join the EU can participate in this forum to exchange ideas and discuss political strategies. No official decision is taken at the EPG summit.

The forum is more of a "quick meeting" of sorts for senior politicians who otherwise don't meet that often. "The EPG is certainly a very informal event, even though it's where the leaders meet. It's a place for strategic intimacy, so to speak, with free time to just talk, without instructions," says Steven Blockmans, Europe expert at the CEPS think-tank. The focus of the forum is social contacts and discussions about security issues affecting the continent./ DW