Decentralizing power, global solidarity, and protecting the environment and the Nordic welfare state. These are the four main pillars under the political platform of the People\u2019s movement of the EU (Folkebev\u00e6gelsen mod EU). <\/p>\n
We sat down with Lave K. Broch, the group\u2019s number two, to get a closer look.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not a party, we\u2019re a cross-political movement, so our members come from different Danish parties or are no party members\u201d, explains Lave.<\/p>\n
At a current opinion poll for the European Parliamentary election, the People\u2019s Movement stands at 8.33 per cent, which will give them one seat. In the current parliament, the movement\u2019s only parliamentarian is associated with GUE-NGL, which is, according to Lave, \u201ca technical association, we can vote independently\u201d.<\/p>\n
The People\u2019s Movement, while being a cross-political platform is united by their principal opposition to the current structure of the EU and Danish membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe EU is built on a wrong foundation and the centralization of power has undermined democracy. We\u2019re in principle against the EU membership, but the this is not on the agenda in the EP, so there we want to decentralize power from within and have agreed on a number of other positions\u201d, explains Lave.<\/p>\n
One of these positions is on the economic policy of the European Union.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the whole austerity policy of EU, EU has actually worsened the economic crisis, by pressing the countries to cut down very fast. I think in a crisis situation you should stimulate trust, and you should stimulate that people are buying things\u201d.<\/p>\n
The political positions beyond EU-criticism and decentralization also help to distinguish the People\u2019s Movement from the Danish People\u2019s Party (DF).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a pillar on global solidarity and I don\u2019t think DF spends many seconds looking at EUs fishing agreements with African countries, or caring about the refugees that die trying to get into Europe,\u201d explains Lave.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother issue is limiting weapons trade, EU is the second-largest exporter of weapons. And we\u2019re very concerned about environmental issues, we must do everything we can to switch to sustainable energy,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, we have an anti-racist platform. I think there is a problem in the whole EU, that intolerance is growing, and I think fighting this should be a number one priority, and I don\u2019t think DF would agree,\u201d he finishes the distinction.<\/p>\n
In principle, Lave supports the possibility for people to move across borders to live and study in another country, but he\u2019s skeptical if the EU is the right actor for supporting that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great to have common funds, but we don\u2019t need a union and superstate for that. The Erasmus program includes e.g. Switzerland and Norway, and we should coordinate higher education beyond the EU, for example through the Council of Europe,\u201d says Lave.<\/p>\n
Asked if he would support extending Erasmus funds within the EU Budget, he answers:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d rather support Erasmus than huge factory farmers, so if the money came from there, yes. But if it\u2019s money that would go to developing aid, or if it\u2019s money that doesn\u2019t exist, no. I don\u2019t think we should centralize more money in the EU system\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think universities should decide on their cooperations independently.\u201d<\/p>\n
As regards student finances and the access to SU, Lave doesn\u2019t like to distinguish between EU and non-EU citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone who lives in Denmark must be treated equally and I think it\u2019s strange that e.g. Ethiopians should be treated differently as Austrians. But the concrete rules should be made in Denmark\u201d.<\/p>\n
When it comes to access to regulation at EU-level, Lave is wary of overstraining the tax-financed welfare states.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great that people can come and study for free, and that\u2019s because we are paying high taxes. If we have this cooperation the national systems have to be protected from breaking down as well. If there come to many, than we perhaps have to make access rules stricter\u201d.<\/p>\n
universitypost@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n
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