Today, at the College of Journalists, the spotlight was on a crucial debate about the future of Europe, right on the verge of the European elections on June 9th. With the prominent participation of Anna Bosch from RTVE, Joan Raventós, Brussels correspondent for 3Cat, and Laia Forés, speaking from Paris, the stage was set for a deep reflection on the approaching challenges.
The event began with remarks from Dolors Camats, director of the Fundació Catalunya Europa, and Laura Pous, vice-president of APEC, who welcomed attendees, noting the importance of the moment, the role of journalism, and the upcoming debate.
The central theme of the debate revolved around several hot topics. It began with a reflection on the resurgence of military tensions in Europe. The surprise was evident: "Who would have thought that a traditional war would return to Europe? Now no one dares to say that war won’t reach the EU," Joan Raventós expressed with concern. Raventós highlighted the lack of social criticism in the face of this warlike trend, given the escalation of rhetoric in this direction.
On the other hand, the French electoral landscape was analyzed, where Laia Forés pointed out a worrying rise of Le Pen's far-right, seen as a punishment vote against Macron. This underscored the fragility of European political balances and their future implications.
Anna Bosch, for her part, stressed the importance of the east-west axis and the growing prominence of Eastern European countries in the war rhetoric. She also pointed out Spain's lack of awareness regarding the imminence of a military conflict on the continent.
In conclusion, it was agreed that the European Union is at a decisive moment. With growing digital and climate challenges, and a diminishing role on the global stage, particularly in the face of giants like China and the United States, it is imperative that the EU remains united and acts decisively. There was a warning about the consequences of the rise of the far-right, which could further weaken the EU's position in the global context.
The debate, moderated by Natalia Segura, a board member of APEC, provided an essential platform for public discussion of these critical issues. You can watch the full event on the College of Journalists' YouTube channel.
