Historically, the pull towards the center in European politics has been incredibly powerful. From Italy to Germany, it has been almost impossible for non-centrist forces to obtain real influence.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
But Italy can only have any real influence on world affairs if it carries weight in Europe.
Europe has a lot of strength. We need to pool that strength, and I am very much in favour of that - more of a deeper political union.
The majority of decisions in Europe are done by unanimity. That's why it is important to be to have good relations with all parts.
The European Union, which is not directly responsible to voters, provides an irresistible opportunity for European elites to seize power in order to impose their own vision on a newly socially regimented Europe.
Sometimes I say in France: Europe is no more the center of the world - and the United States, neither. We have other key players on the international stage: China, of course; but also Brazil, India and South Africa. And their influence is very, very strong.
In the long march of history, at least two poles of attraction and antagonism have been the norm in world politics. Rarely has only one nation carried the burden of leadership. The unipolar world of the 21st century, dominated for the past two decades by the United States, is a historical anomaly.
Europe certainly needs a genuine conservative movement to combat the creeping bureaucratic collectivism that is stifling the human potential of the Continent.
Politics and power is a realm of relative influence.
In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together.
The politics of Europe is unimaginative and bureaucratic.
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