Arnaud Danjean wants to give credibility to the words of deputies on defense

(B2) Arnaud Danjean, French MEP, is one of those who most believed in the emergence of a Europe of defence. He campaigns for the European Parliament to be credible and acquire powers on security and defense issues.

At 47, Arnaud Danjean is applying for a third term in his party, Les Républicains (EPP group). The lists will only be finalized at the beginning of 2019.

A defense security specialist

Participating in the emergence of a Europe of defense was "his" objective when he became a member of parliament. He was elected nine years ago. Directly, he took over the presidency of the Security and Defense sub-committee (SEDE). Lucid, he had no ambition to make subjects of defense " a priority for the European Parliament", "but that we can talk about these subjects in a credible, serious and as operational way as possible within the Parliament ". Today it " (congratulates himself "that the European Parliament" manages to debate and even legislate on subjects concerning defense ". Even if it measures that the path remains long...

Realistic and pragmatic

He judges " relatively ambitious » the 'defence' agenda of the European authorities. But " congratulating oneself on progress does not mean being euphoric and idealistic about what we can do and achieve in a foreseeable horizon he moderates immediately. Him the " great pragmatist » is wary of this « euphoria ", especially in France, " as if we had a qualitative explosion of the CSDP ". " Certainly the progress is there but it remains to be transformed ". This is the case of the defense fund: we remain in the virtual until the next MFF (multiannual financial framework)”. He knows " that (the European defense policy) will still be difficult to bring out " because he " (knows) intimately the cultural differences that exist in relation to military engagement, capability efforts ».

The credibility requirement

The 'ex' intelligence (he worked for twelve years at the DGSE, until 2004) is not kind when he talks about his parliamentary colleagues who understand very little about defense or security issues. He can afford it. It has the "background". This earned him the opportunity to meet the services responsible for counter-terrorism in London recently. A privilege of which he is very proud. " The exterior must give us sufficient attention. Which is still not the case and can be frustrating he weighs. " We must show the actors of the defense community at large and the public that we are able to say intelligent things (on defense and security topics).

Skills to acquire

Without animosity or contempt, he notes that " in the hemicycle or in committee, the deputies who master the subjects of security and defense can be counted on two hands at best ". This was confirmed during the last debate on terrorism, during the December plenary session in Strasbourg. A sparsely filled hemicycle: “ About thirty deputies barely taking the floor and a handful knowing what they are talking about ».

A permanent commission 'Security and terrorism'

This is why he is one of those who are campaigning for the special committee on terrorism to become a 'Security and terrorism' committee during the next legislature, and thus to become a permanent committee for the long term and stand on its own two feet. . The topic of security has gained particular importance in recent years he pleads. " The fact that it is immersed in a much larger committee such as the LIBE committee which deals with justice, home affairs and civil liberties does not give it sufficient focus ". The standing committee would help MEPs gain in technical expertise and therefore in credibility on these subjects. His hobby.

A political technician

Above all, Arnaud Danjean refutes the idea that technology and politics do not go together. " The general public and political bodies tend to consider that if you are too specialized, you are a techno. However, I think that the challenge is to show that one can be very political while being specialized. Mastering the technique can even give you an advantage in the political field. ". This is also perhaps what earned him during his last term of office to have been in turn rapporteur, shadow rapporteur and coordinator for his group (the one who lowers the votes, prepares the amendments, etc.) . " A chance “he measures, to have been able to put on several hats and discover a little more the mysteries of parliamentary power.

The mysteries of power

The man appreciates the work more political ", of negotiation with the other political groups, of preparation of the amendments, these " intense exchanges "in the heart of the" parliamentary mechanics which he now masters rather well. This did not prevent him from encountering difficulties which he did not suspect "," related to these differences in cultural and institutional approaches depending on the country ". For example, when he was rapporteur on the CBSD (Capacity Building in Support of Security and Development), " a financial text on foreign policy”. " It was not a major subject, but one of the first times that the Security and Defense sub-committee (of the European Parliament) was the bearer of a text with legislative and financial scope. ».

A frustration?

A small regret, all the same. The MEP remains frustrated » the lack of powers of the SEDE sub-committee, which remains dependent on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Especially because " the sub-committee does not vote on its texts, it is the parent committee that votes them ».

(Emmanuelle Stoesser)

Interview conducted face to face at the premises of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in November 2019

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