It is no secret to anyone that the effects of the war in Ukraine, as well as the pandemic and other recent events in the international context, have revealed the cracks in the hitherto unbreakable stability of the European Union.
Just over two weeks ago, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, spoke in the Council of Ministers making public his concern for the economic, social and political future of the European sphere. Far from talking about possibilities and scenarios, he affirmed the “end of abundance” that until now had protected Europe from the consequences of many international events.
Already during the pandemic, the French president stated that he was concerned about the need to maintain stability without the necessary liquidity from the State. Let us remember, after all, that this country came to the rescue of many of its businessmen and entrepreneurs during the previous period of economic recession.
Now, once again, there is a need to act quickly in the face of the scarcity of raw materials, as a direct consequence of the war in Ukraine.
BAD OMEN
However, President Macron’s concerns go beyond liquidity and food. He affirms that the war between Ukraine and Russia has only been a way of abruptly making us see a problem that has been brewing for some time and that it has not dealt major blows to Europe because, until now, the continent had had the tools to deal with the worst moments tukif.
He affirms that the presence and proliferation of authoritarian or anti-liberal governments on the international scene are the first evidence, warning of a silent and gradual end to democracy and human rights as the world knows them.
The weather also, it is warned, will be a key factor in this whole matter. With more serious issues on the table such as the inflation of the global economy and the war in Ukraine, the world has forgotten or has chosen to ignore the effects of climate change in the world.
Let us remember, after all, that last summer France was hit by an alarming drought in the country. A drought that, in addition to registering as one of the most acute in history, puts the country in need of rationing its supply.
MEMORIES FROM THE PAST
We know from experience that human beings have a short memory. However, there is alarming evidence in Europe that makes it impossible to forget the reality and the difficult times.
The widespread drought in France, Spain and other European countries brought to the current scene bitter memories of the past, of sad periods of misery.
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Throughout Europe there are engravings known as “Hunger Stones”. They are strategically placed engravings at the edge of rivers, lakes and other main water sources, marking an alarmingly low water level with messages from our ancestors.
The appearance of these inscriptions was collected by a Twitter user (@batallitass), where photographs of some of them are collected. One of them, for example, is in the Elbe River. It dates from 1616 and reads “If you see me, you will cry” in German. Next to it, some years of the worst droughts in history are chiselled into the stone: 1417, 1616, 1707, etc.
What measures do you think the European Union should take to avoid a general collapse of welfare to which its citizens had been accustomed until now?