of Stefanos Nikolaidis

Yesterday afternoon at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center was held by Association of Greek Industrialists a discussion about the European elections a little different from the usual ones.

It was attended by two “holy monsters” of the domestic business scene: the President of SEB, Dimitris Papalexopoulosand the President and CEO of the Group Mytileneos, Evangelos Mytileneos. The role of coordinator and informal host was performed by the experienced journalist and director of “Kathimerini”, Alexis Papahelas.

The title of the event just random could not be considered: “European elections 2024: The world is changing. Can Europe?’

And this was something that Mr. Papalexopoulos made sure to make clear from the beginning of his placement.

“Europe is our home, you see the tie I wear is in its colors, but we are at a critical juncture, where we need more than ever a European restart, with an emphasis on growth and competitiveness”, pointed out the BSE President, striking thus “danger bell” for the future of the Old Continent.

“Europe’s problem is structural”, according to Mytileneos

On the same wavelength and Evangelos Mytileneos, who characterized as “structural» the problem of Europe.

“The way Europe is structured is good for Lisbon 2007, not 2024! I’m tired of saying it: Europe is left behind,” he commented scathingly, adding:

“We have to go to a different charter map. What we say “simple market” (=internal market), is in decay, as a result of which social cohesion is shaken. Take a look at what’s happening in the US, where things are more business oriented.

In Europe, by contrast, people live in the so-called “Brussels Bubble“, bureaucracy rules”.

At that point, Dimitris Papalexopoulos took the floor again, stating that in the European Union there is a “regulation upon regulations”, which makes it more “policed”, in contrast to the USA, “which defends the individual status of each business ».

“Indeed, Europe may be a protectorate of free trade at its best, but the rest of the world is shaping its own industrial omnipotence, like the US and China. Just note that Europe has 27 regulators and 128 companies!”

“Midroi” against the Commission – “Mario Draghi is an ideal case for the presidency of the Commission”

“Do you think we are energy independent? No, we never were! We have always depended on Russia for natural gas, which has recently been replaced by Norway”, underlined Mr. Mytileneos at another point of the debate, who argued that “there is no antidote to anti-systemicism”.

He did not hesitate, in fact, to launch his “arrows” against the Commission.

“We have the worst European Commission since 1956! All they talk about is green growth so generally and vaguely without proposing anything. And now recently we hear them suddenly talking about defense and security issues. The exact opposites, that is,” he commented.

“I can say a lot, but surely what is missing from its current leadership is the accountability».

He did not hide his special appreciation for the Italian politician Mario Draghi, who would be an “excellent opportunity” for the presidency of the Commission.

“England is missing from the EU” – “We want a Parliament of the elite and not of the popular”

In the course of the discussion, Dimitris Papalexopoulos admitted that “the social contract of “progress from generation to generation” is no longer valid”, to then explain how important it is “to convince young people that the European edifice must not collapse”.

“You certainly understand that with 27 prime ministers and few resources, the Commission’s work becomes extremely difficult. Of course, England is also missing from all this, which in 2016 with the referendum made a disastrous decision”.

However, whatever happens in the US in November, Europe has nothing to fear if it remains strong and united,” he reassured.

On the other hand, Evangelos Mytilineos pointed out that “we need a European Parliament of the elite, not of the popular”.

“Look for a party with a clear European voice and ignore those who do Eurovision-style micropolitics”

In the question “why should these European elections concern me and what should I look for when I go to the ballot box” posed by Alexis Papachelas, Mr. Mytilineos was clear.

“I think you have to look for a party that has expressed a clear European discourse and ignore those who do Eurovision-style micropolitics. Because otherwise…we don’t want to go there. This is my opinion. I will not tell everyone which party to vote for. But let’s vote for a party that has a policy. Which tells you “we’re going to do this, we’re going to push this way, we’re going to push that way”.

“The Greeks are the most pro-European citizens there are. Personally, I don’t think about the Greece of the drachma. There we would not even be able to discuss, nor would we have other such luxuries”, Mr. Mytilineos concluded, with Dimitris Papalexopoulos identifying with this point of view.

“Just because we’ve been whining a lot today about needing more and better Europe doesn’t mean we need less Europe. Let’s not forget that we are in a difficult neighborhood and for a small country the fact that we now belong to the core of Europe is a great advantage. And we must build on that and not question it.”

“Europe is not going to become a museum – Let’s ride the uphill that is coming”

Finally, Mr. Papalexopoulos closed the conversation on an optimistic note:

“I am an engineer and not a historian, but I believe that in the long run there are no extreme scenarios. Europe is not going to fall apart, nor become a museum,” he said, and when asked if he agreed with the Economist’s cover story about the collapse of the world order, he joked:

“My sin is that I’ve been reading the Economist since I was 18 and I’ve learned not to believe everything it says.”

“Our country still has a lot to offer to Europe. I estimate that not much will change the day after the European elections, balances will be found. Therefore, on the upcoming uphill we can do upright pedaling”, he concluded.

Watch the full discussion: