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| In search of Europe: France | In search of Europe: France |
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| The EU's eastward enlargement seems to have few fans in France, where fears about competition for jobs and declining French influence in Europe are widespread, the BBC's Jonny Dymond reports. | The EU's eastward enlargement seems to have few fans in France, where fears about competition for jobs and declining French influence in Europe are widespread, the BBC's Jonny Dymond reports. |
| JONNY DYMOND I'm Jonny Dymond and I've said goodbye to the BBC Brussels bureau for the next few weeks. I'll be taking the temperature in nine EU member states before the European Parliament elections on 4-7 June. I'm going to ask voters what they think of the EU and what their priorities are. Join me on the trip! Jonny Dymond's route map Send responses/questions | JONNY DYMOND I'm Jonny Dymond and I've said goodbye to the BBC Brussels bureau for the next few weeks. I'll be taking the temperature in nine EU member states before the European Parliament elections on 4-7 June. I'm going to ask voters what they think of the EU and what their priorities are. Join me on the trip! Jonny Dymond's route map Send responses/questions |
| There is always something of a paradox about France and the EU. | There is always something of a paradox about France and the EU. |
| If you listen to French leaders - local, regional or national - the EU is France's destiny. | If you listen to French leaders - local, regional or national - the EU is France's destiny. |
| After all, was it not a French creation? Does the European flag not flutter from tens of thousands of town halls across the land? | After all, was it not a French creation? Does the European flag not flutter from tens of thousands of town halls across the land? |
| And was not the French presidency of the Union last year a triumph that reminded lesser countries (all 26 of them) just how these things should be done? | And was not the French presidency of the Union last year a triumph that reminded lesser countries (all 26 of them) just how these things should be done? |
| Economic unease on the streets of Nancy | Economic unease on the streets of Nancy |
| But if you talk to French citizens - of all classes and ages - there are doubts, hesitations, questions about the EU that reflect French insecurity about both the direction of the EU and France's place within it. | But if you talk to French citizens - of all classes and ages - there are doubts, hesitations, questions about the EU that reflect French insecurity about both the direction of the EU and France's place within it. |
| There is nothing like the angry scepticism you find in Britain. | There is nothing like the angry scepticism you find in Britain. |
| But there is genuine mystification about how what was once a cosy, pretty much French-led club is now a sprawling organisation with 27 members, where France has to work hard to get herself heard. | But there is genuine mystification about how what was once a cosy, pretty much French-led club is now a sprawling organisation with 27 members, where France has to work hard to get herself heard. |
| Taking to the streets | Taking to the streets |
| It is the last big round of enlargements that causes most consternation. | It is the last big round of enlargements that causes most consternation. |
| In Nancy, in eastern France, thousands of people from the region took to the streets on May Day to protest about rising unemployment, the government's economic policies and the protesters' perennial bete noire - education reforms. | In Nancy, in eastern France, thousands of people from the region took to the streets on May Day to protest about rising unemployment, the government's economic policies and the protesters' perennial bete noire - education reforms. |
| Guy Pernin says the EU allows jobs to move to eastern Europe | Guy Pernin says the EU allows jobs to move to eastern Europe |
| In the demonstration, under a banner of the communist-influenced trade union CGT, marched Guy Pernin. | In the demonstration, under a banner of the communist-influenced trade union CGT, marched Guy Pernin. |
| He is a CGT official from a recently-closed tyre factory, about half an hour's drive from town. | He is a CGT official from a recently-closed tyre factory, about half an hour's drive from town. |
| Mr Pernin is convinced that the machinery from the factory is being sent to Poland to be used by cheaper Polish workers. | Mr Pernin is convinced that the machinery from the factory is being sent to Poland to be used by cheaper Polish workers. |
| Michelin, the factory's owner, refused to comment on the machinery's final destination. | Michelin, the factory's owner, refused to comment on the machinery's final destination. |
| "All the French industrial groups are going to eastern Europe these days," says Mr Pernin. | "All the French industrial groups are going to eastern Europe these days," says Mr Pernin. |
| "Michelin told us we were obsolete, that we were no longer worth anything. Michelin is using systems put in place at the European level, to take our machines and continue their production." | "Michelin told us we were obsolete, that we were no longer worth anything. Michelin is using systems put in place at the European level, to take our machines and continue their production." |
| Polish plumber's shadow | Polish plumber's shadow |
| Some politicians in France say that the furore over the "Polish plumber" - a shorthand for eastern European workers undercutting French counterparts' pay and social protection - has died down. | Some politicians in France say that the furore over the "Polish plumber" - a shorthand for eastern European workers undercutting French counterparts' pay and social protection - has died down. |
| But in Nancy, workers, students and pensioners nearly all mention the need to avoid what they call "social dumping". | But in Nancy, workers, students and pensioners nearly all mention the need to avoid what they call "social dumping". |
| And those sceptical sentiments do not just come from the usual suspects on the left. | And those sceptical sentiments do not just come from the usual suspects on the left. |
| Normandy wants to remain distinctive in the enlarged EU | Normandy wants to remain distinctive in the enlarged EU |
| On the other side of the country, in the Normandy town of Cambremer, there is a celebration of all the good things the region produces. | On the other side of the country, in the Normandy town of Cambremer, there is a celebration of all the good things the region produces. |
| Up and down the winding streets of the town stalls are heavy with cheese, calvados, more cheese, cider, sausage and more cheese. | Up and down the winding streets of the town stalls are heavy with cheese, calvados, more cheese, cider, sausage and more cheese. |
| At one rare non-cheese stand Didier Bedu stands behind a wall of calvados bottles. | At one rare non-cheese stand Didier Bedu stands behind a wall of calvados bottles. |
| How, I ask him, does France feel towards the EU? | How, I ask him, does France feel towards the EU? |
| "Maybe more enthusiastic than the British," he laughs, "but more and more sceptical. | "Maybe more enthusiastic than the British," he laughs, "but more and more sceptical. |
| "They [the EU] want to manage and control everything, in all the small details of life, and this is not the role of the EU. This is the role of local government." | "They [the EU] want to manage and control everything, in all the small details of life, and this is not the role of the EU. This is the role of local government." |
| And amongst those sipping and nibbling at the stalls, there is a similar downbeat mood. | And amongst those sipping and nibbling at the stalls, there is a similar downbeat mood. |
| Nearly everyone I speak to says they will vote in the upcoming elections. | Nearly everyone I speak to says they will vote in the upcoming elections. |
| Producers in Cambremer have benefitted from the EU | Producers in Cambremer have benefitted from the EU |
| But nearly everyone complains about the impact of expansion to the East. | But nearly everyone complains about the impact of expansion to the East. |
| "Our son works for an international company," said Simone, a 72-year-old pensioner. "And he asked for a raise. His boss told him: 'Two Poles can work for your pay'." | "Our son works for an international company," said Simone, a 72-year-old pensioner. "And he asked for a raise. His boss told him: 'Two Poles can work for your pay'." |
| Her husband, standing next to her, chips in: "France is getting poorer because of the EU". | Her husband, standing next to her, chips in: "France is getting poorer because of the EU". |
| Andre, a 26-year-old financial adviser, says he is very much in favour of building a political Europe but that "we must have the same rules everywhere". | Andre, a 26-year-old financial adviser, says he is very much in favour of building a political Europe but that "we must have the same rules everywhere". |
| And he adds: "The building of Europe would allow us to protect our market from emerging economies." | And he adds: "The building of Europe would allow us to protect our market from emerging economies." |
| All of this is a long way from the kind of liberal free market rhetoric you hear in Brussels. | All of this is a long way from the kind of liberal free market rhetoric you hear in Brussels. |
| EU cheese-fest | EU cheese-fest |
| It seems rude not to visit at least one of the many cheese stands at the festival. | It seems rude not to visit at least one of the many cheese stands at the festival. |
| I head for the creamy blue of a Roquefort stall, run by a big grinning bear of a man, Xavier Thuret, whose passion for mouth-watering cheese appears to be matched only by his love of European integration. | I head for the creamy blue of a Roquefort stall, run by a big grinning bear of a man, Xavier Thuret, whose passion for mouth-watering cheese appears to be matched only by his love of European integration. |
| Xavier Thuret sees the diversity of the EU as a good thing | Xavier Thuret sees the diversity of the EU as a good thing |
| "The European Union," he says, smiling, "is a big, big, big fromage, with English cheese, Italian cheese, French cheese, Spanish cheese, a lot of different sorts of cheese." | "The European Union," he says, smiling, "is a big, big, big fromage, with English cheese, Italian cheese, French cheese, Spanish cheese, a lot of different sorts of cheese." |
| And Romanian cheese, I ask? | And Romanian cheese, I ask? |
| He is stumped, and admits to not having tried such a delicacy. Polish cheese did not get a mention either. | He is stumped, and admits to not having tried such a delicacy. Polish cheese did not get a mention either. |
| You can put growing French doubts down to a national insecurity, to concern about having to share the EU stage with so many others, or to economic worries that may yet resolve themselves - as fears over competition with Spain and Portugal did in the 1980s. | You can put growing French doubts down to a national insecurity, to concern about having to share the EU stage with so many others, or to economic worries that may yet resolve themselves - as fears over competition with Spain and Portugal did in the 1980s. |
| But doubts there are, and they will continue to grow. | But doubts there are, and they will continue to grow. |
| And who knows, just as in the referendum four years ago - when the French rejected the EU constitution - come the June elections they may surprise their leaders once again. | And who knows, just as in the referendum four years ago - when the French rejected the EU constitution - come the June elections they may surprise their leaders once again. |
| 4 May - France8 May - Ireland12 May - UK 16 May - Sweden21 May - Latvia25 May - Poland 29 May - Austria2 June - Italy5 June - Germany | 4 May - France8 May - Ireland12 May - UK 16 May - Sweden21 May - Latvia25 May - Poland 29 May - Austria2 June - Italy5 June - Germany |
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| Some of your responses are included here. Send us your comments on Jonny's trip and any questions for him, using the form below: | Some of your responses are included here. Send us your comments on Jonny's trip and any questions for him, using the form below: |
| Before enlarging the EU, would it not be wise to introduce some common pension rules/laws? Currently if you work for a few years in another EU country those working years do not count towards number of years worked, so pension age is therefore higher (at least in France). Private pensions from one country to another are so tied up with taxation laws/benefits that they do not travel. Yet people move from one country to another for work. Pensions do not.R Huggins, Valbonne, France | |
| Dear Jonny, You should come down to our little island of Malta and see for yourself how we are trying to deal with the huge influx of illegal immigrants, while Europe turns its back on burden sharing... Tonio Azzopardi, Floriana Malta | |
| Jonny, why do we need to pay £18 billion/year to be able to trade with Europe? It's only 10% of our total trade and we pay nothing for trading with the rest of the world. We are Europe's biggest customer. They need us to buy their BMWs, cheese and wine. It just seems all wrong.John Lilley, Kings Langley, UK | |
| I have a very simple question - why you skipped stopping in the Czech Republic? Of course, we are a small country but at the moment we happen to chair the EU presidency, albeit under a crumbled government. I think it would be a most interesting thing for you to find out what the people living in a country headed by the most eurosceptic president think. Perhaps you would be surprised how much support EU has got here.. thanks and all the best, NadiaNadia, Prague, Czech Republic | |
| Is it not true that the EU was sold purely as a means of free cross-border trading, but now seems to have developed into mothering and total interference in every aspect of our lives? The countries who benefit from EU membership are those who had nothing and now have the full protection of the EU mother state, with the promise of jobs or benefits in other territories such as the UK. The BNP policies may be right, as we've been sold totally down the road!k smith, daventry, England | |
| Europe should already have some experience of "marriage to a poor cousin" in case of German unification. Same will happen with extension of Europe to East. IF IT IS TO BE UNITED EUROPE then gradually the whole of Europe should reach a levelled living standard - somebody should go a little bit down, others gradually up. IF THE IDEA IS NEW COLONISATION - to extend Europe to have poor neighbours as cheap workforce whenever needed in Europe - with the idea to send them home when not needed - YES, you should rethink and stop where you are. We should better stay good neighbours.StanislavSr, Belgrade, Serbia | |
| I would like to know whether all EU countries, old and new, have to work to the same regulations - ie, health and safety, food and hygiene, working hours etc. I realise there are cost of living differences but what about other factors? In other words is it a fair playing field for workers across the EU? Valerie Ward, Secondigny, France | I would like to know whether all EU countries, old and new, have to work to the same regulations - ie, health and safety, food and hygiene, working hours etc. I realise there are cost of living differences but what about other factors? In other words is it a fair playing field for workers across the EU? Valerie Ward, Secondigny, France |
| The future relevance of Europe in the world depends on the success of the European Union as a political and economic union. The present generations still live in the old days' comfort zone, complaining about life standards deterioration, but newer generations will face the reality of China, India, Brazil and Russia to realise that there is no relevant future for countries smaller than provinces and a population smaller than the capitals of the large nations.Artur de Freitas, Johannesburg - South Africa | |
| I see it says above "5 June - Germany" but I can only see a stop in Berlin marked on the map. Berlin is not Germany. It is totally unrepresentative. Hamburg, where I live, is much better as a city and as a sounding board, but to get the real German "man in the street" go to the Ruhr, visit Dortmund or Wuppertal or Essen. That will give you a much better sample.RoyBear, Hamburg, Germany | I see it says above "5 June - Germany" but I can only see a stop in Berlin marked on the map. Berlin is not Germany. It is totally unrepresentative. Hamburg, where I live, is much better as a city and as a sounding board, but to get the real German "man in the street" go to the Ruhr, visit Dortmund or Wuppertal or Essen. That will give you a much better sample.RoyBear, Hamburg, Germany |
| Why are national politics being questioned? Whenever there is a debate on the media about the European Parliament and its members, nothing is discussed about what they can do for the Europeans. It's always what the parties are doing or not doing (in the case of opposition) in their own countries. Europe seems so far and of little interest for the Europeans, while national parties are mostly interested in their victories for legislative elections and give us little details on their ideas for the European Parliament.Antonio Gandarinho, Aveiro, Portugal | Why are national politics being questioned? Whenever there is a debate on the media about the European Parliament and its members, nothing is discussed about what they can do for the Europeans. It's always what the parties are doing or not doing (in the case of opposition) in their own countries. Europe seems so far and of little interest for the Europeans, while national parties are mostly interested in their victories for legislative elections and give us little details on their ideas for the European Parliament.Antonio Gandarinho, Aveiro, Portugal |
| I think we do need to dump a lot of Brussels. It is not democratic - it doesn't represent the people of Europe - as repeated referendum rejections have shown. It does not act in our best interests and is often counter-productive. I think we need a good and extensive ongoing discussion site - ie multiple threads with open discussion and well organised. There are many things that need to be sorted out, from effective 'internal exchange rates' - which currently contribute to job movement , freedom of trade - contractors and consultants are greatly restricted and penalised, removal of all the stupid legislation - fishing - dumping of undersized catch etc. | I think we do need to dump a lot of Brussels. It is not democratic - it doesn't represent the people of Europe - as repeated referendum rejections have shown. It does not act in our best interests and is often counter-productive. I think we need a good and extensive ongoing discussion site - ie multiple threads with open discussion and well organised. There are many things that need to be sorted out, from effective 'internal exchange rates' - which currently contribute to job movement , freedom of trade - contractors and consultants are greatly restricted and penalised, removal of all the stupid legislation - fishing - dumping of undersized catch etc. |
| Personally I would much prefer to see a federation of states rather than a single European government - no EU parliament, just a meeting place for our governments. I would also like to see the EU bureaucracy cut right down - say to 10% of what it is currently. I think it would be a good idea to spread the EU bureaucracy throughout Europe - rather than concentrating it in one place - Brussels . We've done that with the central bank - we can do it with the other institutions.Kim Lyon, London & Paris | Personally I would much prefer to see a federation of states rather than a single European government - no EU parliament, just a meeting place for our governments. I would also like to see the EU bureaucracy cut right down - say to 10% of what it is currently. I think it would be a good idea to spread the EU bureaucracy throughout Europe - rather than concentrating it in one place - Brussels . We've done that with the central bank - we can do it with the other institutions.Kim Lyon, London & Paris |
| The European Union free-market ideology has ruined the economy and the lives of eastern Europeans. To survive, where possible, the younger generation has moved to western Europe do do menial work for starvation wages where they are attacked by nationalists. The older generation who suffered communism must live the rest of their lives and old-age in absolute poverty. Well done neo-liberal EU.James Yates, Munich, Germany | The European Union free-market ideology has ruined the economy and the lives of eastern Europeans. To survive, where possible, the younger generation has moved to western Europe do do menial work for starvation wages where they are attacked by nationalists. The older generation who suffered communism must live the rest of their lives and old-age in absolute poverty. Well done neo-liberal EU.James Yates, Munich, Germany |
| When you interview people who are worried about losing jobs due to cheaper labour in Poland and other new additions to the EU, would you mind asking them if they are wearing clothes made in China? In my opinion, this is part of a global problem which is driven by demand from the very people who complain about it. If Michelin tyre prices dropped due to a labour-cost saving, how many of the CGT marchers would insist on paying a higher price for Michelin products made in France?Elitsa Mitova, Johannesburg, South Africa; born in Bulgaria | When you interview people who are worried about losing jobs due to cheaper labour in Poland and other new additions to the EU, would you mind asking them if they are wearing clothes made in China? In my opinion, this is part of a global problem which is driven by demand from the very people who complain about it. If Michelin tyre prices dropped due to a labour-cost saving, how many of the CGT marchers would insist on paying a higher price for Michelin products made in France?Elitsa Mitova, Johannesburg, South Africa; born in Bulgaria |
| If Jonny were to go the Netherlands he would find a large majority against the EU's political development. Most are in favour of sound economic cooperation between (not too many!!) countries in Europe. But enthusiasm for the large, opaque and incredibly undemocratic ruling system of a political EU is low, getting lower. A majority would say 'no' to the Lisbon Treaty when asked.Peter Cohen, Amsterdam, Netherlands | If Jonny were to go the Netherlands he would find a large majority against the EU's political development. Most are in favour of sound economic cooperation between (not too many!!) countries in Europe. But enthusiasm for the large, opaque and incredibly undemocratic ruling system of a political EU is low, getting lower. A majority would say 'no' to the Lisbon Treaty when asked.Peter Cohen, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| I am unemployed at present. For the past 2 years Polish workers have been doing work that I would otherwise have done. I get survival benefits. But how long will the EU last with this insanity? The French are not alone. Maybe just the loudest.Robert, Finland | I am unemployed at present. For the past 2 years Polish workers have been doing work that I would otherwise have done. I get survival benefits. But how long will the EU last with this insanity? The French are not alone. Maybe just the loudest.Robert, Finland |
| The EU was the result of the great vision of those who were weary of 2000 years of self-slaughter. It is essential to see the greater picture by keeping the feelings far and wide, with outstretched hands that the EU could grow larger and greater - from John O' Groats to Constantinople - no passports, one single currency! Stop all the grumbling and be glad for what we have - listen to The Ode to Joy and bathe in Peace Peace Peace.Leonard Wells, Haslingden, UK | The EU was the result of the great vision of those who were weary of 2000 years of self-slaughter. It is essential to see the greater picture by keeping the feelings far and wide, with outstretched hands that the EU could grow larger and greater - from John O' Groats to Constantinople - no passports, one single currency! Stop all the grumbling and be glad for what we have - listen to The Ode to Joy and bathe in Peace Peace Peace.Leonard Wells, Haslingden, UK |
| As a Frenchman I see the problem, but can't think of a solution, as we are so not competitive... and well, at least they relocate to eastern Europe, which is still better for us than if they were relocating to China. Besides, I am not aware of any eastern European cheese worth mentioning (please, don't speak about kachkaval!) Victor, Le Havre, France | As a Frenchman I see the problem, but can't think of a solution, as we are so not competitive... and well, at least they relocate to eastern Europe, which is still better for us than if they were relocating to China. Besides, I am not aware of any eastern European cheese worth mentioning (please, don't speak about kachkaval!) Victor, Le Havre, France |
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