MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. European politics is falling apart, and EU politicians have turned into "feeble background singers to American soloists," Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on Thursday.
According to him, there are no figures on par with former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, ex-French President Jacques Chirac or late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Europe anymore, they have been replaced with the "atrophied outgrowths of individuals" calling themselves technocrats and unable to assume responsibility. "The problem of the degradation of European politics is related above all to the fact that it turned into feeble background singers to US soloists," the politician stated.
He noted that he has been interacting with foreign leaders for a while and sees how the level of Western politicians has plummeted. "This has been happening literally before my very eyes for the past 20 years. It is obvious that in Europe there is no trace left of political leaders on par with Helmut Kohl, Jacques Chirac or Margaret Thatcher," Medvedev noted.
"The political class of people who personified a firm policy and sometimes an entire era has been replaced with measly individuals who provisionally call themselves technocrats. Some of them are quite qualified specialists but no more than that. Such people can competently formulate an idea and give precise orders to their aides. However, they are unable assume responsibility."
"A true politician is not afraid to make decisions. Yes, he may make a mistake and even lose. Nevertheless, this would be a dignified loss. Every leader is unique, but a politician is someone who can make an unpopular decision and assume responsibility for it and who understands that international relations are not the office of a provincial European school principal where pupils get a thump on the head and sanctioned," he contended.
"It is obvious to everyone that [Italian PM] Mario Draghi is no Silvio Berlusconi and [German Chancellor] Olaf Scholz is no Angela Merkel," the Security Council’s deputy chairman stressed. "These are new people and a new, and in my opinion, by far, not the best era of national governance. In the EU, for example, there are moderate technocrats and there are rabid fanatics. They are almost equal in proportion. Large countries are, of course, in the lead," he noted.
According to the ex-PM’s assessment, "overall, Germany, France and Italy still look fine amid the overall background yet even respect for them has been undermined." "Could a Ukrainian ambassador call Chancellor Kohl ‘an offended liverwurst’? Or could the current Ukrainian president come to a meeting with President Chirac in a green t-shirt? Of course, not. It’s absurd."
Medvedev noted that strong politicians had never been Russophobic. The former president pointed to Charles de Gaulle, who could contradict any US president. "And who among the Europeans now can do it without their hands trembling? They don’t think about the future. They are limited only to their flabby electoral goals," he stated.
The politician added that the new wave of American leaders "are also not sparkling with fresh ideas or mental stability." "And this will continue. Unfortunately, there is no enlightenment on the horizon. This creates problems not only for the Western world but also for us, Russia. The caliber of politicians is inexorably declining. As [Russian President] Vladimir Putin once aptly remarked, ‘after Mahatma Ghandi’s death there is really nobody to talk to,'" Medvedev concluded.