Just over a year ago, Jean-Claude Juncker says during his farewell speech in the European Parliament, he had a very special meeting. Back in July 2018, Juncker was sitting in the White House with Donald Trump. The American president, Juncker says, first added it, well, yes. Chancellor, presidents and heads of government had already been with him, the President told the Commission chief that the trade dispute was really all important said.
"That's not enough," Juncker answered by his own admission. "You have to explain it to the Europeans, too." Why, Trump asked. "Because the EU Commission is responsible for trade issues." It was a great feeling, especially for him as a Luxembourger, jokes Juncker now in the Strasbourg European Parliament. "I am the man."
With the little anecdote about his visit to the White House, Juncker, 64, not only describes one of his greatest successes as head of the commission. In a kind of ceasefire Juncker could prevent Trump imposed punitive tariffs on European cars.
History also teaches Junckers why Europe is needed. Alone, almost all EU members are too weak to negotiate on equal terms with the US, says Juncker. Only together could they stand up to Trump.
AFP
Trump and Juncker in Washington, July 2018: "I am the man"
Even though Juncker had to extend Ursula von der Leyens' time again until the end of November because of the Commission's start-up difficulties, his time as head of the commission is coming to an end. But unlike last Friday at the EU summit in Brussels he does not tear a tear in Strasbourg. Almost as if he does not want to make a big fuss about it, Juncker completes his last speech.
18 years Prime Minister in Luxembourg, head of the Eurogroup for eight years, then head of the European Commission for five years - the man who was friends with Helmut Kohl and Jacques Chirac knew well, says goodbye to the parliamentarians. Here, in Strasbourg, you chose him in 2014. At the time, this was a small revolution. For the first time, a politician became head of commission, who had taken the lead in the European elections.
Juncker can be funny, humorous, subtle and with Hungary's right-wing head of government Viktor Orbán he ever gets out to the whistle. This morning, however, Juncker renounced gimmicks, he calls defeats and achievements.
Video: Bongs and Dance Inlays
REUTERS
The reunification of Cyprus did not succeed, nor did the new framework agreement with Switzerland. The banking union was also not completed, a project that would have made the euro stronger.
And the successes? Europe has become more social. "Europe must belong to workers," he says. Then he comes to Greece. During the euro crisis in the summer of 2015, it was not least thanks to Juncker that Wolfgang Schäuble, then Federal Finance Minister, did not prevail with his idea of a "temporary Grexit". "We have succeeded in giving Greece the dignity it deserves," says Juncker.
AFP
Juncker and Finance Minister Schäuble: Different views on Greece
He talks about the refugee crisis, the attempt to change the Dublin rules that did not work in the crisis, the growing segregation of Member States. "The applause has diminished because domestic policy has gained the upper hand in many countries," he says.
The Brexit - a "waste of time and energy"
He talks about the economic successes of his five years. As always, Juncker's press workers have sophisticated graphics and beautiful imagery to garnish the boss's talk on social media. Juncker's message is also so clear: The so called 2014 "Last Chance Committee" took advantage of this opportunity.
Juncker changes from French to German, he speaks English, except for a few words, this morning not at all. This is not a coincidence, Juncker deliberately chooses the languages and topics he talks about. Without English, that means that saying goodbye to the British is already a reality for him. He does not even put the word Brexit in his mouth. After all, before, when the parliamentarians discussed the results of the last EU summit, he has put a few sentences to it: "A waste of time and energy," was the farewell of the British, at least for the EU.
Now in German. "Peace is not self-evident," says Juncker. As he speaks, there are 60 wars in the world, but none on the EU territory. He warns of a relapse into nationalism. And calls for the EU to no longer unanimously decide on foreign policy in future in order to become more effective.
Successor Ursula von der Leyen starts with delay
Juncker had not started his speech yet, there was already standing ovation. But not many applauded, the plenary hall was not full, especially on the right, and on the left most members were missing. Parliament, it seems, takes the change at the top of the Commission as businesslike as Juncker himself.
Oberbrexiteer Nigel Farage, who made some heated exchanges with Juncker in this Parliament, briefly looks at Juncker's desk and chats with him, but then stops listening. Others take selfies.
Francois Lenoir / REUTERS
Future Commissioner von der Leyen, predecessor Juncker: "The right woman at the top of the commission"
And Juncker? The end after a good 20 minutes. On 1 December, it is planned anyway, Ursula von der Leyen is his successor. She has yet to manage three commissioners successfully through the parliamentary hearings. However, it is currently not clear what the candidates from Romania and above all France are called. Nevertheless, Juncker has no doubt that von der Leyen actually starts in December. "She's the right woman at the top," he says.
And he? "I am leaving office, not sad, not overly happy, but feeling that I have made an honest effort," he says. Then Juncker closes with a reminder to the deputies, again in French: "Take care of Europe." And: "Fight with all your might the stupid nationalism."
