In the light of current worldwide political turmoil and an overall situation of economic uncertainty, it is important for a global actor like REMONDIS to begin 2017 with a strong message of resilience and commitment to an open and tolerant democratic society. As a company, we would like to express our concern over current geopolitical developments, and openly pledge our support to the liberal economic principles we share with many nations around the world.

2017 will be a decisive year for Europe. Elections will be held in two of the founding countries of the EU, which also happen to be the two largest economies in continental Europe. As a result, these elections will likely set the tone for the political discourse in Europe, but could also have an actual, lasting impact on the political landscape in the European Union for the years or even decades to come.

In particular, the Presidential election in France will be under much scrutiny from its European neighbours. Will mainland Europe resist to the major political shifts experienced in the United Kingdom and the United States, or will it succumb to the rhetoric of polarizing politicians such as Marine Le Pen and other populist leaders that promise easy answers to some of the world’s most complex problems.

In Germany, the challenge will be different: It remains to be seen how far-reaching isolationist ideology has grown, and how the established democratic parties will perform. Although extremist parties are not on the brink of power in Germany, the election will certainly determine if populist tendencies have enough potential to become mainstream.

In an election year like this, it is essential for voters to mobilise in order to send a strong signal for a united Europe. Occurrences such as the Brexit referendum vote in the United Kingdom show that the EU is in desperate need of reform. However, calls for a return to more national sovereignty are misinformed. Europe is complex: the EU is a construct that has experienced a difficult, gradual process of integration over the last 65+ years of its existence. 

Europe needs to continue to stand for its core principles and therefore commit to the Four Freedoms as established by the EU, being the Freedom of movement of capital, people, goods and services. It is important that Europeans are reminded of the truly exceptional challenges that they have already overcome over the past decades, whilst taking new challenges head on.

In the light of further potential political upsets, it is important that we remain active in shaping the political discourse and safeguarding our liberal values, both as individual citizens and collectively as companies and civil society groups.

Sincerly yours,

 

Dr. Mark Nusselein

Chief Financial Officer of REMONDIS International