2024-11-10 12:57:00
“With the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, a new political reality has emerged that must now also be recognized by the decision-makers in Europe,” emphasized the liberal delegation leader in the European Parliament Harald Vilimsky today, referring to today’s ORF -Press hour with Christian Wigand, the acting head of the EU Commission in Austria. “Mr. Wigand and other EU representatives are rather sheepish about the fact that Trump will now be back in the White House,” emphasized Vilimsky. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other leading EU representatives had previously warned against Trump and strongly criticized him, although Wigand sees the EU as an important negotiating partner with the USA. “The only real political bridge builder between the USA and Europe is currently Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán,” Vilimsky emphasized.
During the press hour, Wigand was evasive on many questions, especially when it came to the topic of reducing bureaucracy and reducing the size of the EU Commission. Instead, he praised the Commission’s handling of the crisis so far and emphasized that it was on the right track. “In view of the ongoing investigations by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office into the vaccine procurement scandal surrounding Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, this can only be described as a bad joke,” emphasized the liberal delegation leader. He called for this scandal to finally be comprehensively dealt with by a special committee in the European Parliament.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Wigand praised the introduction of the EU Defense Commissioner and raised the issue of the European Peace Facility, in which Austria was also involved. These statements met with massive criticism from FPÖ delegation leader Vilimsky: “Austria’s perpetual neutrality must not be abused by the EU Commission for its war plans by carelessly including it in any questionable cooperation where it is no longer of any use. It is an integral part of our republic and our constitution and the commission should adhere to it accordingly.”
Another key point was the controversial EU migration pact, which Wigand defended. Vilimsky, on the other hand, described this pact as a pure placebo policy and emphasized that only a decisive “no-way” policy could represent a real solution to the migration problem.
For Vilimsky, it is clear that after today’s press hour it is clearly evident that “business as usual”. “Green Deal, migration pact, more centralism and no peace initiatives with regard to Ukraine lead to further destabilization of Europe and a threatening loss of competitiveness. The FPÖ is calling for a rethink in EU politics and finally meaningful reforms that will ensure peace, freedom and prosperity for every citizen in the respective European states,” said Vilimsky.
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**Interview with Harald Vilimsky, Leader of the Liberal Delegation in the European Parliament**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Vilimsky. In your recent statements, you highlighted a new political reality following Donald Trump’s re-election. Can you expand on what this means for Europe?
**Harald Vilimsky:** Thank you for having me. With Trump’s return to the White House, we are likely to see a shift in US policies that could deeply impact transatlantic relations. European decision-makers must acknowledge this new reality and prepare strategically. We can’t ignore the fact that Trump’s approach to foreign policy will be quite different, which requires a reassessment of how Europe engages with the United States.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that EU representatives, including Christian Wigand, are somewhat hesitant about this change. Why do you think that is?
**Harald Vilimsky:** It’s clear that there’s a considerable amount of apprehension among EU officials. Many have criticized Trump in the past, and now there’s an awkwardness in reconciling previous stances with the need for cooperation. Wigand’s reluctance to address these issues transparently is concerning. The EU must decide whether to confront challenges directly or adopt a wait-and-see approach, which doesn’t serve our interests.
**Interviewer:** You also pointed out Viktor Orbán as a potential bridge between Europe and the USA. Can you elaborate on that?
**Harald Vilimsky:** Orbán has maintained a pragmatic relationship with Trump, which may position him as a key intermediary. Hungary’s approach offers a model for how Europe can engage with a Trump-led United States on issues like trade, security, and migration. However, this stance may not be well-received by all EU member states, given Orbán’s controversial reputation.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, are the current actions of the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen adequate, particularly with regard to the ongoing investigations and crisis management?
**Harald Vilimsky:** Absolutely not. The Commission’s responses to critical issues, including the vaccine procurement scandal, raise serious concerns about accountability. Praising their crisis management while investigations are ongoing feels disingenuous. There must be a genuine push to reduce bureaucracy and enhance transparency, which is not happening under the current leadership.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what steps do you believe the EU should take moving forward in light of these developments?
**Harald Vilimsky:** The EU needs a clear and proactive strategy toward the USA, fostering open communication with all partners, including those with differing views, like Orbán. Additionally, addressing internal challenges like bureaucratic inefficiency and ensuring accountability within the Commission is crucial. We must not lose sight of our values while seeking cooperation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Vilimsky. It’s clear that the next few years will be pivotal for EU-US relations.
**Harald Vilimsky:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial time, and I hope for a constructive path forward.
