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Laurent Zeimet: “We no longer live in the cosy 1990s”
The drone incidents in Luxembourg, security in Europe, the rise of right-wing parties, migration and social networks. On RTL’s “Background am Gespréich”, CSV parliamentary group leader Laurent Zeimet commented on a range of current issues. His main message: Europe must become stronger and take on more responsibility for its own security.
Drone incidents: “People shouldn’t panic”
After the recent drone incidents over Luxembourg, Laurent Zeimet warns against speculation. People should “not panic”, he said. The positive thing was that the security setup is working and the responsible services had responded.
At the same time, the incidents must be taken seriously. If larger drones
appear over the country several times within a week, that is hardly a coincidence. Now it remains to be seen what the investigations will reveal.
More European defence
For the CSV parliamentary group leader, the international tensions show that Europe has to adapt to a new reality.
“We are no longer in the calm, cosy 1990s,” Laurent Zeimet said. Europe must strengthen its own defence capability.
For him, this is not only about higher spending. Europe also needs a strong defence industry and credible deterrence. In this context, Laurent Zeimet pointed to dependence on the United States.
If Europe wants to take on more responsibility for its security, Europe also has to build up the necessary capacities.
Scepticism about a windfall tax
Laurent Zeimet is sceptical about a windfall tax for oil companies. There are also arguments
against such a tax, because it could be counterproductive.
When it comes to energy and petrol prices, it must be examined whether the existing measures should be extended or more targeted support should be put in place. Among other things, this would have to be discussed in the tripartite. For Laurent Zeimet, however, the underlying reason for the high prices must not be lost sight of.
Concern about the AfD
The strong surge in support for the AfD in Germany worries the CSV parliamentary group leader. Particularly problematic is the fact that the party is no longer strong only in the eastern federal states.
In this context, Laurent Zeimet also highlighted the role of the CDU. After the Second World War, the German Christian Democrats played an important role in Germany’s and Europe’s stability.
A weakening of that political force is therefore also relevant for Luxembourg and Europe, said the CSV parliamentary group leader.
“Coalitions are formed after the elections”
Laurent Zeimet did not answer the question about possible cooperation with the ADR.
“Coalitions are formed after the elections,” he said. What is decisive is whether parties are compatible in terms of content.
With a view to the ADR’s current foreign policy, he was clear: after the statements by ADR MP Fred Keup on the programme, Laurent Zeimet sees “no overlap with the CSV”.
Migration: take people’s concerns seriously
In the rise of right-wing parties in Europe, Laurent Zeimet also sees a link with migration policy.
The migration issue had been ignored for too long in various countries or “talked up nicely”. Europe must have its borders under control and respond to concrete problems.
If politics does not take people’s concerns in the population seriously, that would give parties on the far right additional support, said Laurent Zeimet.
More responsibility for social networks
Laurent Zeimet is reserved about a social media ban for young people. A general ban would not be his first answer. More important would be safe access to social networks. That applies to young people, but also to adults. In particular, the influence of algorithms and foreign actors must be addressed more strongly.
Platform operators must also be held more accountable. Just like newspapers and radio stations, social networks cannot completely shirk their responsibility for the dissemination of content, said CSV parliamentary group leader Laurent Zeimet.
>The RTL Background on replay: