Margot Wallström

Margot Wallström is European Commission Vice-President responsible for institutional relations and communications strategy.

Question: What is the essential strategy for ‘Plan D’?

Margot Wallström: Plan D stands for Debate, Dialogue and Democracy. Plan D is the way to engage with people. It is no rescue operation for the constitution, it is something that runs for a much longer period of time. Plan D will kick off the ‘period of reflection’ and it has to happen in member states and mainly under the responsibility of member states.

We have listed the kind of initiatives where we can help and assist member states, together with the European Parliament and other actors as well, national parliaments and civil society. We have tried to make an inventory of things that can be used as instruments to engage in this debate.

Of course democracy takes time, one year is not enough, you have to engage in something that really becomes part of democratic debate and discussion in Europe.

Question: What is Europe’s positive story for the new generation? What does it mean to be a European?

Margot Wallström: The words we use to describe our medium and long term objectives are fine. We speak about prosperity, jobs and growth. We speak about a role in the world. We speak about solidarity, between generations and the way we work to ensure social protection. We speak about security. We have to fight terrorism together, we have to fight cross-border problems together. These arguments can create the modern story of Europe.

Question: In terms of leadership, where is it going to come from? France – no, Germany – probably no, the UK – it seems not. Who will dare to take on the argument?

Margot Wallström: Leadership always has to come from within. European leaders have to show that they are committed. They have to show their values. I think this is why so many people ask about values. They want to see European leaders stand up and say why they are engaged in European cooperation.

But if that leadership is not there then the role of the commission is to be the motor. The ones who kick things off, who start to get something going and to keep it running.

Question: Some say the commission, so far, has not shown enough leadership?

Margot Wallström: I know there is a sense of frustration after having lost pace and speed. But I think it is more about finding a compass or direction rather than blaming each other. I think we should avoid that.

We should try to play our role, we can at least present our ideas on how this difficult time can be used. There is no shortcut. We have to engage with citizens. We have to listen better. We have to explain better. And, we have to be present locally.

Question: Given what you have just said, how do you feel about Chirac’s recent comments on the commission?

Margot Wallström: This is precisely the kind of blaming each other that people really detest in the end. I think people want to see solutions and not leaders bashing each other. Let’s concentrate of the constructive way forward.

Question: On Europe’s social model, we hear, a lot of talk from EU leaders and commissioners, about the need for European citizens to ‘modernise’ in the face of globalisation. But many EU citizens do not seem to want to…?

Margot Wallström: It is very often a difficult and tough message to say we need to reform – our pension systems for example. Or to say that unless we solve the problems of an aging population we need to work longer hours to ensure the same standard of living in Europe. Or that we have to increase immigration. I do not think people should be underestimated. They know there are difficult issues and I think a very honest, open debate about the problems works.

But what I miss is a description of the kind of projects that could be truly European, which could unite, a common project for all of us. Let’s say, and I am thinking aloud, that we announce we are making our European capitals the best place to live on this planet. We will make them the cleanest, the best environment… It will mobilise people. We need jobs, modern transport systems, good education, all of these things, but we also need a kind of European dream, a way forward.

Question: In terms of that vision, sometimes when people talk about the need for the EU it sounds quite negative. We need the EU because of terrorism, we need the EU because of bird flu…

Margot Wallström: The EU is not just there to counter problems. I want a positive vision. I think we need mobilising projects where we can show sustainable development is possible. To combine economic growth with social and environmental protection, and to do it with the state of the art technology we have here. I think we can do it.

Question: Inter-institutional relations - how are they? How important is the political role of the parliament?

Margot Wallström: From a procedural point of view we are, from both sides, very happy to have concluded the framework agreement and were successful in doing so.

But I think politically there will continue to be difficult times because the parliament will want to test its powers and MEPs will continue to be tough on the commission, rightly so in respect of our different roles. Even if it is sometimes tough, we should appreciate open discussion with the parliament.

Question: The parliament is planning a web TV channel is this a good idea or should EU institutions look at a united approach?

Margot Wallström: To certain extent we should follow our own institutional policies. On such an important and costly issue activity as TV we all benefit form having some kind of common approach to all this. There are different reasons we you choose to invest in such a TV adventure, either to have transparency or to reach out to ordinary citizens. Because you have choose either or, and I think the transparency argument has won when it comes to the parliament decision. I think we just have to make sure we link up to each other.

Question: The commission has made headlines by talking up economic growth, and some say, talking down social and environmental legislation. Do you think this could be a problem?

Margot Wallström: I think it is always a challenge to make sure that we are seen to cover the whole of Europe and all interests. We have to be the ones who balance all the interests, to be seen to be defending society’s interest and not, for example, just the business interest. I think it is very important to make sure we can maintain that balance.

I will fight very hard for that in the commission as well. But I do not think we have scrapped other interests in the commission. It is about ensuring the right balance.

Question: How is yoru job after the environment portfolio, the new commission team, with new work methods? How’s it all going?

Margot Wallström: The first year is always difficult, it was with Prodi commission as well. I am glad I remember that, otherwise it could have been too depressing sometimes. It takes time to get to know each other, to establish working relations, to find the right way forward.

My new portfolio is a much more difficult task, to change people’s minds about the EU. This difficulty is something everyone points out to me. Some have called it mission impossible, I call it mission irresistible. In my masochist way I enjoy doing it.

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