Mr Juncker’s power must be curtailed
The bizarre spectacle of a smiling JeanClaude Juncker embracing Nigel Farage like a long-lost friend in the European Parliament yesterday belied the calamity that had befallen the institution. Within minutes, the Ukip leader was on his feet denouncing the Commission and everything it stood for. It had helped impose a political union upon the people of Europe, without their consent. Now its leaders were in denial about why the UK had decided to leave. Given half the chance, he said, voters across the continent would do the same.
They did not like hearing it, but Mr Farage was right. The functionaries of Brussels still do not understand what has happened and why. Their immediate reaction was almost celebratory: now they could finally get shot of this troublesome state that has spent decades thwarting their grand designs, so let it be done quickly.
But it has been noticeable how swiftly the statements of the unelected Eurocrats like Mr Juncker have been slapped down by the EU leaders who have the inconvenient necessity of facing the electorate every few years. Angela Merkel has called for a measured response to the Brexit vote and for time to be taken over the negotiations about withdrawal. The German Chancellor is understandably concerned: this has been another profound shock to the EU still reeling from the eurozone crisis. Forcing Britain out quickly would poison relations with the rest of the EU. That is in no one’s interest.
Countries in eastern Europe are particularly appalled by the Commission’s behaviour and ministers from across the region want Commission heads to roll. Witold Waszczykowski, Poland’s foreign minister, said the European institutions “should start to admit they made a mistake”. That would be a first. The Estonian and Czech governments have also criticised Mr Juncker personally and said a new Commission president should lead the negotiations with the UK.
Mr Juncker was Germany’s choice (David Cameron tried to stop him) so Mrs Merkel will be reluctant to admit that appointing him was an error. But this is bigger than personalities. The Commission, which began as an administrative civil service, has been given far too much power to instigate policy and decide the direction of travel. It needs to be reined in and authority returned to where it should reside – with elected politicians.