Viewpoint: Regions of Europe: the Alsatian case
By Patrick Bracker
----------------------------
( ACM : "NewsViewPoint" Columnist Patrick Bracker seeks a revival of the Historic "Alsace" Region, as Bridge between Nations in Europe, criticizing the 2015 choice for a new, "Great East" Region, shortly before the forthcoming French Regional Elections. This represents his Personal view, (on the occasion of a relevant Collective Meeting near High Koenigsburg Castle), and Not necessarily that of "Eurofora".
F.ex., among various other points, (after having Criticized the 2014-5 Abolition of Alsace, See : http://www.eurofora.net/brief/brief/alsacenotoalcaponearea.html), we have already Published that many find Interesting also ...Both realities, including for Bridges between Nations in Europe, (where the Franco-German core obviously is the Key, particularly after UK's BREXIT, but also from the De Gaule - Adenauer link). So, we naively Hope that our French friends will manage to find a way to Combine the Advantages of Both ("Alsace" and "Great East"), in an adequate way. In such Direction, an Artistic Symbol of a Strasbourg - Reims Historic Link, is ... Joan of Arc herself, Born at nearby Lorraine and active particularly at Reims, on whom also a German Rock Music Group of quality, as "Eloy", has created a sympathetic work, (as usual for them : in English, a language of Franco-German Synthesis : Enjoy Infra ! ). By the way, perhaps something Bigger than expected might Emerge in the forseable Future from this Controversy : Naturaly, with a Right, Ambitious "Vision", as Eloy evoked nowadays (2017 + 2019 and well Beyond, towards a New European Horizon, with No more Fake Europeans, But towards Real Europeans : at the Core of Joan's Legacy)...
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Regions of Europe: the Alsatian case

Within the framework of European construction, the perspective of the Europe of the regions represents a fundamental link between the authorities and dimensions of the territories: local, regional, national, European, cross-border and international.
The region allows a structural and human interface between the various organizational layers of a state, between the local and the national, and constitutes a bridge between nations when these regions are located at the borders of the member states of a multidimensional organization such as Europe. One understands here the importance of the bilateral cross-border relationship and the supranational dimension or extraterritoriality. These structures include specific objectives while combining complementary with their members.
The organizations of the Council of Europe, the CLRAE or the European Union, the Committee of the Regions, the CEMR, respond to these multifactorial dimensions in the continuity of the member states. These internal organizations provide in principle the impetus for progress between the Member States through these regional and local levels.
We know that bridges are one of the logistical issues to be destroyed during real wars. In view of its experience, Europe, on the contrary, builds bridges between member states and external relations. At the intra-European level, bridges are also partnerships, twinning, and cross-border regions. Joint projects and activities of civil society, universities, companies, or shared policies allow for meetings, and to get to know each other. Open-mindedness allows bridging the gaps of ignorance or distance. Let's build bridges!
For example, with regard to the Council of Europe's Charter of Local and Regional Self-Government, the reform of the regions in France in 2015, carried out in an unfriendly and authoritarian manner without respecting European law by the government concerned, in no way corresponds to the state of mind intended by the founders of the European project, whose stakes have been well defined since the beginning, after the war. Moreover, the internal law was seriously undermined, since this reform did not respect the concept of equal treatment between regions, even though it was a founding constitutional act of the Republic.In addition to these facts,there was a cynical denial of the anthropological reality of certain regions of this country. The case of Alsace is a flagrant example, it is distressing to note that the decision-makers concerned, did not show respect for the history, nor for the population and the families of this region.
One will remember the opposition of the Senate to this reform which limited the number of regions to 13 instead of 22, while the upper house of Parliament proposed 15 regions. The majority of local elected officials as well as the population in a proportion of 80% were opposed to it. To this day, the majority of the population is still opposed to it at nearly 70%. And one evokes the democratic deficit or the notion of confidence!
In this context, we can also ask ourselves at the local level what were the motivations that pushed the creation of euro-metropolis, too big and destructive of the real estate, environmental and natural quality for the small region of Strasbourg. Is there a complementarity or a will to harm, and if so, for which objectives? Indeed, the European project is also a project of human dimension and quality of life, compared to the size of the big capitals as Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Roma... in relation to these great capitals, the human and geographical dimension of Alsace does indeed correspond to a human dimension of proximity and quality, in a way a laboratory of quality and happiness at the European level since 70 years...Actually the new mega-region named Grand Est seems far of the game.
Obviously, in a European or international perspective, this situation would have serious implications, since the situation in this region has been well known for a long time, and in particular the sufferings and bruises caused by wars or periods between wars when indelicate leaders showed contempt for the local level.
The techniques of totalitarian or contemptuous manipulation of the people are however outdated by recent developments, even if there is a hint of attempts by powers with limited competences in time and in the human domain. In all these situations there are technical errors from the institutional point of view, but above all there are mistakes from the point of view of human values, such as free choice or respect for the living being.
With regard to this fundamental problem, there are intelligent reactions. It is the case of the Alsatian regional reality defended by the Movement for Alsace under the leadership of its President Senator André Reichardt. The open-mindedness of this apolitical movement, symbolized by a large gathering of currents of thoughts, allows the meeting of points of view with different angles of reflection and represents a factor of appeasement of the tensions met because of this process with the forceps carried out during this reform of the regions. The regional elections that will take place in June 2021, six years
after these events, may give orientations to the decision-makers.
-------------------
It will be recalled that the government of the time had not deigned to respond to the recommendation made by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe during the session of March 2016. Yet France had ratified the Charter of Local and Regional Self-Government... The diplomatic issue is also engaged by thi situation. Our international colleagues remain courteous; they are no less duped by the situation. This can naturally hinder or even prevent inter-state or international transactions, or problem solving.
The issues of supranationality and extraterritoriality, as well ontology, are a driving force in the initial philosophy of the post-war founders. The main objectives such as peace, prosperity and the development of the individual and groups in their quality environmental context remain relevant. In this respect, respect for values is an essential element of the trust that citizens can place in responsible entities and representatives.
In the end, this notion of respect is a basic instrument for any form of harmonious development of our societies, individuals and groups.
The restoration of Alsace as a region represents a European challenge.
Patrick Bracker
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Régions d’Europe: lecas alsacien
Dans le cadre de la construction européenne,la perspective de l'Europe des régions représente un lien fondamental entre les instances et les dimensions des territoires: local, régional, national, européen, transfrontalier jusqu'à l'international.
La région permet un interfaçage structurel et humain entre les diverses strates organisationnelles d’un état,entre le local et le national et constitue un pont entre les nations lorsque ces régions sont situés aux frontièresdes étatsmembres d’une organisation multidimensionnelle telle quel’Europe. L’on comprend ici l’importance de la relation bilatérale transfrontalière et de la dimension supranationale ou de l’extraterritorialité. Ces structurations comprennent des objectifs précis tout en combinaison complémentaires avec leurs membres.
Les organisations du Conseil de l’Europe, le CPLRE ou de l’Union européenne, le CdR,la CCRE, répondent à ces dimensions multifactorielles dans la continuité des Etats membres. Ces organisations internes apportent en principeles impulsions pour le progrès entre les Etats-Membres grâceà ces niveaux régionaux et locaux.
On sait que les ponts sont l’un des enjeux logistiques à détruire durant les vraies guerres. En regard de son expérience, L’Europe, au contraire construit des ponts entre les états membres et les relations extérieures. Au niveau intra-européen, les ponts sont aussi les partenariats, les jumelages, les régions transfrontalières. Les projets et les activités communes, de la société civile,universitaire, entreprises, ou de politiques partagées permettent les rencontres, et de se connaitre. L’ouverture d’esprit permet de combler les lacunes des ignorances ou des distances. Construisons des ponts!
Pour l’exemple, s’agissant de la Charte d’Autonomie locale et régionale du Conseil de l’Europe, la réforme des régions en Francemenée d’une façon inamicale et autoritaire hors le respect du droit européenpar le gouvernement concerné ne correspond en rien à l’état d’esprit voulu par les fondateurs du projet européen,dont les enjeux sont bien définis depuis le début, après-guerre. En outre le droit intérieur fût sérieusement écorné,puisque cette réforme ne respectait pas le concept d’égalité de traitement entre les régions, pourtant acte constitutionnel fondateur de la République. Il se rajoute à ces faitsune négation cynique de la réalité anthropologique des régionsde ce pays. Le cas de l’Alsace en est un exemple flagrant, il est navrant de constater que les décideurs concernés, ne firent preuve d’aucun respect de l’histoire, ni de la population et des familles de cette région.
L’on se souviendra de l’opposition du Sénat à cette réformequi limitait le nombre de région à 13 au lieu de 22, tandis quela chambre haute du Parlement proposait 15 régions. Les élus locaux en majorité ainsi que la population dans une proportion de 80% y étaient opposés, et le reste encore en majorité à près de 70%.Et l’on évoque le déficit démocratique ou a notion de confiance!
Dans ce contexte, l’on peut se demander également au niveau local quelles furent les motivations qui poussèrent lacréation d’euro métropole, trop grandeet destructrice de la qualitéimmobilière, environnementale et naturelle pour la petiterégion Strasbourgeoise. Y va-t-ilune complémentarité ou une volonté de nuire, et si oui, pour quels objectifs? Eneffet, le projet européen est aussi un projet de dimension humaineet de qualité de la vie,par rapport à la taille des grandes capitales comme Berlin, Bruxelles, Paris. La dimension humaine et géographique de l’Alsace répond bel et bien à une dimension humaine de proximité et de qualité, en quelque sorte un laboratoire de qualité et de bonheur au niveau européen depuis 70 ans ... Actuellement la mega-région nouvelle Grand Est semble être loin...
Evidemment dans la perspective européenne ou internationale, cette situation comporterait des incidences sérieusespuisque l’on connait bien la situation de cette région depuis longtemps et notamment les souffrances et meurtrissures provoquées par les guerres ou des périodes d’entre guerreslorsque des dirigeants indélicats firent preuve de mépris du niveau local.
Les techniques de manipulations totalitaires ou méprisantes des peuples sont pourtant dépassées par les évolutions récentes, même s’il existe un relent de tentatives par des pouvoirs aux compétences limitées dans le temps et dans le domaine humain. Il y a dans toutes ces situations des erreurs technique au point de vue institutionnels mais surtout des fautes aupoint de vue des valeurs humaines, comme le libre choix et le respect de l' etre vivant.
En regard decette problématique de fond, des réactions d’intelligence existent. C’est le cas de la réalité régionale alsacienne défendue par le Mouvement pour l'Alsace sous la houlette de son Président le Sénateur André Reichardt. L’ouverture d’esprit de ce mouvement apolitique, symbolisé par un large rassemblement de courants de pensées, permet la rencontre des points de vue avec différents anglede réflexion etr eprésente un facteur d'apaisement des tensions rencontrées du fait dece processus au forceps réalisé lors de cette réforme des régions. Les élections régionales de juin 2021, 6 ans après ces évenements, pourraient offrir des orientations aux décideurs.
L'on rappellera que le gouvernement de l’époque n'avait pas daigné répondre à la recommandation faite par le Congrès de Pouvoirs Locauxet Régional du Conseil de l'Europe lors de la session de mars 2016. Pourtant la France avait ratifié la Charte d’AutonomieLocale et régionale...La question diplomatique est engagée également par cette situation. Nos collègues internationaux restent courtois, ils n’en sont pas moins dupes de la situation. Cela peut naturellement gêner, voire empêcher des transactions interétatiques ou internationales.
Les enjeux des supranationalités et d’extraterritorialités, ainsi que de l' ontologie, sont un moteur dans la philosophie initiale des fondateurs d'après-guerre. Les objectifs principaux comme la paix, la prospérité et le développement de l'individu et des groupesdans leur contexte environnemental de qualitérestent d’actualité.A cet égard le respect des valeurs représente un élément essentiel de la confiance que les citoyens peuvent accorder aux entités responsables et à leur représentants.
Au final, cette notion de respect est un instrument de base pour toute forme de développement harmonieux de nos sociétés, individus et groupes.
La restauration de l’Alsace en qualité de région représente un enjeu européen.
Patrick Bracker
-(*) Eloy - Jeanne d'Arc (Comp. Supra)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK4Jjg3-hWg
----------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLofM9eGS0M&list=OLAK5uy_ly65UeVEniXYA7rHWmhFSP_4FxUSyshNQ
+ Lyrics : http://eloy-legacy.com/eloy.php?Area=music&Sub=pyre1&PHPSESSID=hs94vmojqtsbasv631dpg8lai1
---------------------------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk1utlg3ykw
+ Lysics : http://eloy-legacy.com/eloy.php?Area=music&Sub=pyre2&
-------------------------------------------------------
http://eloy-legacy.com/eloy.php?Area=music&Sub=pyre1&PHPSESSID=hs94vmojqtsbasv631dpg8lai1
http://eloy-legacy.com/eloy.php?Area=music&Sub=pyre2&
+ FULL LYRICS (of 1 + 2), in German, French, and English :
http://www.eloy-legacy.com/download/VSP_Lyrics.pdf
------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpH2A5Pul5M
***
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The official presentation of a "Program" respecting People's choices voted in the June 7, 2009 EU Elections, to be debated in EU Council and EU Parliament during its 1st Session on July in Strasbourg, is the No 1 Priority, according to Democratic principles, for the Franco-German axis, said the main winners at the ballot box, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel.
They stressed that the New EU Commission's President must have a "Program" in favor of an EU which "protects" its Citizens, regulates financial markets and aims at a "Political" Europe" : a wording they have used as incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid.
They also declared ready for a "political" endorsment of "Mr. Barroso's candidacy" in June's EU Council, considering that an official decision would have to be made after EU Parliament's debates and votes, possibly from next month (July), with the legally necessary final acceptance shortly after Lisbon Treaty's entry into force, hoped for September or October.
- "A Program, and Mr. Barroso" : This resumes, in substance, the anouncements made by Sarkozy and Merkel, on the question of current EU Commission's President, Barroso's declared wish to succeed to himself for a second mandate, to be extended during the following 5 years.
In their 1st meeting after EU Elections, they observed that "the Franco-German axis counted in European Elections' campaign... But, we both keep a realistic view : We saw the number of those who abstained, and we must absolutely give them an answer. We also see the disilusionment of an important number of Europeans vis a vis Europe, and we are aware of the responsibilities we have".

- The "Duty" of the new EU Commission's President, after June 7, 2009 EU Elections' result, "is to act for a Europe which protects the Europeans, to commit himself into working for a better Regulation of Financial transactions, ... and to have a Political will for Europe", underlined Sarkozy.
Therefore, "we have asked M. Barroso... to clarify, to officialy present the intentions he has", he anounced.
- "We want to speak also about the Programme", explained Merkel.
- "It's important that for the next EU Parliament's mandate (2009-2014) we take the right Decisions for Europe. Obviously on Persons, but mainly Decisions on Issues", she stressed.
- "It's not simply a question of a Person, it's also a question of a Programme". We are "really asking Mr. Barroso to commit himself on a Program, and on Principles, on Values", Sarkozy added.
EU President-in-office, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, accepted the Franco-German stance :
- "Barroso must present his Programme. The Czech Presidency agrees with that", Fischer reportedly said later, after meeting Sarkozy.
But Press reports from Brussels claimed that Barroso had preferred to be officially appointed by EU Council since June, (i.e. next week), "because this was implied by the current Treaty of Nice, according to him", and considered any delay until the possible ratification of the new, Lisbon Treaty on September/October, as "undemocratic".
- "At any case, independently of what Germany and France ask, it's also EU Parliament's wish". "We shall propose Mr Barroso's candidacy... But even in the framework of Nice Treaty, EU Parliament has to be associated in this Decision", the French President observed.
If this is correctly done, then "we support Mr. Barroso's candidature", and "if the (EU) Parliament agrees, we might ratify this decision since July", (i.e. next month), they both said.

- "France and Germany support Baroso's candidacy, But we want to speak also on the Program. We believe that this Program should be established in close cooperation with EU Parliament, and that's why we have followed an appropriate way", said Merkel. - If EU Parliament wants, this election can take place on July, but this must be done in full agreement.
- "We shall support Mr. Barroso's candidacy, without doubt", said Sarkozy. "But we have asked from Mr. Barroso, as I told him yesterday, to put into detail.. his intentions, at the eve of his 2nd mandate, if the situation avails itself.
France and Germany "don't want to take an Official Legal Decision by writting" during "the next (EU) Council" (on June 18-19), declared Sarkozy. Because they prefer, at this stage, only "a Political decision" on June, "so that we (EU Council) can work together with EU Parliament", which starts to meet only Next Month, since July in Srasbourg, "leaving a Legal decision by writting for later".
- "If the Conditions are fuillfiled in EU Parliament, we (EU Council) are ready to give the agreement and make it offficial", said Merkel
- "But, now we are working in the base of Nice Treaty. If tommorow we want to work in the spirit of Lisbon Treaty, we have to find a proper way", she added.
- "Of course it's Legally complicated, because we are going to make a Political proposal to the forthcoming Council, for an EU Commission's President, on the basis of Nice Treaty : So, we (EU Council) will not appoint the Commissioners. Only the President. If EU Parliament agrees, it could endorse this position on July", explained Sarkozy.
But, on Autumn, "if Ireland ratifies Lisbon Treaty, there will be, at any case, a 2nd Decision, to appoint the Commission's President, this time on the basis of Lisbon treaty, and then, we, the EU Member States, would have to appoint (also) the EU Commissioners", he added.
As for the precise Timing : - "Everything is suspended until the Irish vote... Now, we must all make everything possible to help Ireland to say "Yes"" to Lisbon Treaty... The Irish Referendum, ..will take place either on September or on October. It's a Question which depends on the Irish. And, then, we shall have the Choice of the Candidates for the permanent Institutions of Europe".
However, "if Ireland says No, we, French and Germans, have to assume our responsibilities, and we'll do so", he concluded.
But British and Swedish governments were reportedly eager to have a final EU Council decision on Barroso since this month, on June's European Council. While the other EU Member Countries are divided, several of them preferring to wait until EU Parliament pronounces itself, on July, and/or until Lisbon Treaty might be ratified by Ireland at the beginning of the Autumn. Barroso's current mandate ends on November.
There are also various, contradictory and/or unpredictable reactions inside EU Parliament vis a vis Barroso's wish to continue a 2nd mandate, because many MEPs are openly or secretly opposed, reluctant, or hesitating.
In the biggest EU Countries, as France and Germany, EU Citizens voted on June 2009 EU Elections for a renovated, non-technocratic but Political Europe which cares for its Citizens, with an Identity, Values and Borders, declared incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid, by mainstream, pro-European Governing Parties. Similar choices were also supported in several other small or medium EU Countries.
On the contrary, whenever, in other Countries, Governing and other mainstream Parties didn't make these choices or eluded them, EU Citizens massively voted for euro-Sceptics whenever they were the only ones to to promise anti-bureacratic change and oppose Turkey's demand to enter into the EU, (f.ex. in the UK, Netherlands, etc).
It's seems to be an Open Question whether Sarkozy and Merkel's conditions will be really accepted by Barroso, who was appointed on 2004 in a different political context, (with Socialist Prime Ministers in Germany, France, etc), had rejected in the Past the idea of EU becoming "equal to the USA" as "ridiculous", and pushed for Turkey's contoversial EU bid, trying to "soften" or contain the changes desired by the People who voted for Merkel and Sarkozy with another policy vis a vis Turkey on 2005 in Germany and on 2007 in France, as they did all over Europe on 2009.
In addition to many EPP Governments, it's 3 remaining Socialist Prime Ministers : Gordon Brown in the UK, Zapatero in Spain, and Socrates in Prortugal, who support Barroso, as well as Liberal Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt. But their Parties lost the June 2009 EU Elections.
Questioned whether there was still "Time" for "other" possible "Candidates", Sarkozy and Merkel did not deny, nor made any comment on that, but simply said that "it's not for us to make publicity for any candidates. We anounced our choice ("A Program, and Mr. Barroso"). But we respect any other candidate".
Among various other names cited are former Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt, former UNO's Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson of Ireland, Italian former EU Commission's vice-President Monti, etc. Meanwhile, Luxembourg's PM Juncker, (who had been unanimously accepted by EU Council for EU Commission's Presidency on 2004, but refused), announced his intention to resign from "EuroGroup"'s Chair. Thus, he might be available for another Top EU job.
As "EuroFora"'s "opinion" said (See publication dated 9/6/09) : - "If the current candidates (i.e. Barroso, etc) to the Top EU jobs promise and guarantee to respect People's democratic choices, then, it's OK".
"Otherwise, Europe must find new candidates, really motivated and able to implement these democratic choices of the People."
Because, "in Democracy, the forthcoming choices for EU's Top Jobs,...should be made according to EU Citizens' Votes in June 7, 2009 European Elections, and main EU Governments' strategic policies".
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