A Message from Dr Walter Cocx
"Europeans, friends, we are coming towards the end of the campaign for Premier Commissioner, and I want to thank all of you who have shown me your support deeply. This week, Europe stands at a crossroads, presented with a choice of continuing the silent, waning, ineffective EPA bureaucracy of the past four months under Leeson, to choose for a bloated, confusing, distant Europe under Le Berre, or to choose for me. For a united yet fair Europe. Today I make my final appeal to you, voters, to cast your ballot for a Europe of reason, of rationalism, and to reject the extreme and vague proposals of my opponents.
Let us begin with Leeson, who offers you a peculiar combination of extreme pro-Europeanism, a complete lack of specificity and concrete policies, and a highly ineffective way of communicating his goals. Not only is Leeson a doomsayer, who claimed that "there is no middle ground" and that "we are in survival", but most of his so-called policies are far, far beyond the mandate of any Premier to date. From his proposed introduction of what he calls "participatory capitalism", a vague term with an even vaguer meaning, to his claim that "we need all countries on board" -- on board for what? How are you going to achieve this? He further proposed a standardisation of safety and consumer standards, something which a Premier, any Premier, cannot and should not do. Leeson might not recognise the middle ground, for he is certainly not on it. But, Mr Leeson, voters, I have something to tell you. There definitely is a middle ground. And that middle ground is the Cocx Movement.
On to my other opponent, Mr Le Berre, whose proposed policies are at the very least well worked out and specific. They are also, unfortunately, downright dangerous. New councils formed to discuss "pertinent issues." New councils formed for "marginalised populations". New councils in all sectors of the economy. A new Economic Council at European level. I don't know how many Councils Le Berre can think of to add to his platform, but every single one is one too many. We need to cut down on European bureaucracy -- abolish the ineffective European Assembly -- rather than institute another fifteen Councils no one will attend. It's furthermore interesting to note that, in Le Berre's view, "those running Europe ... are corrupt, caring only for their interests", a baseless accusation if ever there was one, but at the same time he proposes instituting another dozen councils with even more "corrupt" bureaucrats. There is no consistency in his plans.
Unlike Leeson, however, Le Berre has at least a few good suggestions -- and, much like how I noticed Le Berre started discussing the issue of rogue states after my campaign had highlighted this issue -- I will take inspiration from his campaign. His notion of the Premier having to be open to petitions is a good one, and I accept this. He also appears to be in favour of a united Commission, where Commissioners work together far more than they have done in previous months and years. This is a valid point, and one I would take up if elected to office.
The Cocx Movement does not dabble in the fantasy of Mr Leeson, or the ineffective bureaucratic ideals of Mr Le Berre. We will oppose any movement to increase the European Budget or to allocate expenditure on massive projects that should be dealt with multilaterally; we will sponsor legislation in the European Council, the only way to affect meaningful change at a European level, by the way, with the following aims:
To allow the Commission, as a united body, to instantly embargo states deemed out of line by at least two EU member states' governments, a danger to regional security, or to member states' safety -- acting as a final possible measure in case all diplomacy fails.
To immediately abolish the European Assembly, and empower the European Council with its duties.
To repeal the Elected and Accountable Council Act 2020.
Furthermore, the Cocx Movement makes the following proposals:
Premier Commissioners should facilitate, actively, projects such as Eurorail and a region-wide 5G network, on a multilateral basis, involving funding from different member states.
Although we oppose direct stimulus packages for poorer member states, we are in favour of a common European mechanism for nations to apply for loans, financial aid, or other support, from other member states, once again facilitated by the Commission.
Diplomatic and arbiter-related roles of Commissioners should be more widely implemented, to facilitate voluntary implementation of common currencies, visa-free travel zones, or other proposals to make the lives of Europeans easier, by groups of member states.
You all know my platform, and what I stand for. I now ask you to go out and vote -- vote for your principles, vote with your head, and with your heart. If we all do our best, then one bright day in the near future, we will wake up in a Europe of sanity, of rationality, and of peace. Thank you, goodnight."