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13 ANALYSIS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 SEPTEMBER 2023 times or Eurobubble trap? one". But he also notes that "the distance and gap between speeches denoting political vi- sion and pragmatic reality is still enormous" and that "pro- grammatic speeches become useless if not translated into real practice". For example, he notes that the continuously rising cost of living is having an enormous impact on European citizens, pushing more of them towards the poverty level. In this context Cassola sug- gests that concretely the EU should seriously embark on collective procurement for basic daily necessities such as grain and medicines, on the same model adopted for buy- ing the COVID vaccine and natural gas. The competitiveness mantra In her speech Von der Leyen referred to three challenges facing Europe, namely short- ages in the labour market, inflation and the business en- vironment "at a time when we are also asking industry to lead on the clean transition". "So we need to look further ahead and set out how we re- main competitive as we do that… Because Europe will do 'whatever it takes' to keep its competitive edge," she said. Yet rather than coming up with her own proposals Von der Leyen has delegated the job to economist and for- mer Italian PM Mario Draghi whom she describes as "one of Europe's great economic minds". He has been entrusted with preparing a report on the future of European competi- tiveness. Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici wel- comes the choice of Draghi which reflects Von der Leyen's sobriety and business-like ap- proach. But he also notes her commitment made to "the so- cial market economy", which he believes is a hallmark of the European social model that unites the political centre ground. While noting that her claim that "instead of millions of people looking for jobs, millions of jobs are looking for people" could not reflect the situation in every member state, he notes that under her leadership Europe has defied predictions of a relapse to the 1930s in the wake of a pan- demic which was also followed by a war. "Europe has managed to de- fend itself and remain resilient in a time characterised by one crisis after the other," Mifsud Bonnici says. He welcomes her focus on innovation par- ticularly in the energy sector, noting her repeated reference the Critical Raw Materials Act which is intended to make the EU more competitive and au- tonomous. But he also notes that Von der Leyen's focus on industrial competitiveness also betrays a sensitivity to German con- cerns, noting that it is inevi- table that "national interests" pervade the agenda of Europe- an politicians. But former Labour leader Al- fred Sant fears that her focus on competitiveness which he describes as "the mantra of the centre right" fails to address pressing social needs troubling electorates. "Improving competitiveness as the best approach by which to meet the arising challenges does not really respond to the disquiet which is being ex- pressed by citizens," Sant says. He attributes this emphasis on competitiveness to politi- cal exigency, namely her need to consolidate support on the right in her bid to seek another term in office. "She has probably decided to seek a second term in office as indicated by her reference to Jacques Delors, one of the two Commissioners who served two terms," Sant surmises. But while pandering to her support base on the right, Sant also notes that "she took care as well to throw some sops on social issues to the centre left". Desiree Attard is even more scathing in her criticism of Von der Leyen's social priori- ties noting that when referring to labour shortages, an issue which is also plaguing Malta she failed to address the pre- cariousness of certain jobs. "What she completely failed to mention, however, was the quality of the jobs which are on offer, and the dismal condi- tions workers are being made to endure, who are very often working in precarious condi- tions for very little pay," At- tard says. Attard believes that prior- itising the Green Deal is cru- cial, but this momentous shift cannot happen without pay- ing proper attention to labour rights in the widest sense of the term – from an adequate living wage to work-life bal- ance and health and safety. "To maintain the current cap- italist system and greenwash it will simply not do. These are realities which failed to make it to the President's speech, together with the very urgent cost of living crisis and pover- ty," Attard says. Another term for Ursula? Both Carmelo Mifsud Bon- nici and Alfred Sant believe that Ursula von der Leyen was laying the ground for another five years at the helm of the commission. Mifsud Bonn- ici also believes it will be the best choice for the European Union. "She has proved her- self in the role and she clearly deserves it," he says. Mifsud Bonnici notes that to get a second term she also needs the support of her party, the EPP, which will probably remain the largest group in the European parliament. But she will also need the support of larger EU member states. "The fact that she hails from Germany, which is the largest EU member state is clearly an advantage for her," Mifsud Bonnici says. For this reason, he adds, it is unlikely for some- one like European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to be chosen as the EPP's lead candidate for the role. "Of course, I wish to see Rob- erta in that role… she has also proved herself and in so doing she made Malta more relevant in Europe, but let's keep our feet on the ground," Mifsud Bonnici adds. Left to right: Alfred Sant, Desiree Attard and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici EU President Ursula Von der Leyen delivering her State of the European Union address