“It’s about time. For change to happen. In Russia and … elsewhere.”

It was 1991. Yes, Slovenia had become an independent and sovereign country and no, it was not easy. I believe and I know that what was happening then was of the utmost importance. But … is it really necessary to drag that year up again and again, every single time, and use it for all sorts of comparisons? Every. Single. Time.

It is 2022. Yes, this is the 21^st century, and no, the Soviet Union no longer exists. It collapsed many years ago. It cannot be restored. Though … someone would like nothing more. Someone is using the 19^th century methods and basing their views and – even worse – actions on twisted and misguided theories of history. Because of fear of democracy.

It will be 2050. Yes, that is when Europe is supposed to become the first carbon-neutral continent, and no, 2050 is no longer that far off. It is closer than 1991! THIS IS THE FUTURE.

The future cannot be someone who is stuck in the past. In days gone by. The future cannot be someone who sees everything and everyone as enemies. If there are none, they will make some (up), because they simply cannot function otherwise.

Yes, the future is nations freely choosing their own destiny, and no, I am not just talking about the people of Ukraine. But I will continue with them, because today we are holding an extraordinary plenary session to debate the Russian aggression against Ukraine. We are set to adopt a resolution. I expect it to be tough. We will demand even more determined sanctions against the Putin regime, but also against the Lukashenka regime, which is supporting the attack on Ukraine. The oligarchs who support the Russian regime must no longer be able to buy palaces in London and spend their summers on yachts in the Mediterranean. I expect financial and political isolation. The unity of the EU.

Unity which, by the way, I would expect in many other important areas as well. Whereas what traditionally happens is that there is always someone who starts asserting their own interests and who thinks that they can do whatever they – and they alone – please in this community. Even at the cost of trampling on a fundamental value such as the rule of law. I mention this because this is what it is all about. Whichever way you look at it, this is the fundament on which the EU stands or falls.

This is also why this was the central theme of our conversation last week, when Stephane Sejourne, president of my political group, Renew Europe, visited Slovenia. He came to express his support for all those of us/you who understand that change is needed.

Change is also needed, for example, in the media sphere. Not that the media themselves should change (I am, of course, referring to those worthy of the name, not to propaganda). What I am saying is that decisionmakers should strain every sinew to improve the situation. Free and critical media are indispensable for holding authorities to account. For democracy. And, ultimately, for peace. This is what we discussed during yesterday’s event on media freedom in the EU.

My basic thesis was that Russia could and can attack because the Russian media (both private and public), or, more precisely, their editorial policy, act as an extension of the government, even if the government’s instructions are absurd. They don’t care. They don’t care that Russian propaganda is telling its people that Russia is only conducting a ‘military operation in Ukraine’ in order to ‘oust the Nazis who are depriving the Ukrainian people of their freedom’. But … in the information age of social networks, presenting alternative facts will not be possible forever.

No one is eternal. Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind if the Russian president, who has ruled for 20 years and is even bombing civilians, were swept away by a democratic wave. It’s about time. For a change. In Russia and … elsewhere.

And in April too. 🤞

– Irena