[This editorial is also available in Ukrainian.]
Passions are legitimate, often understandable, rarely productive.
They must not be allowed to hijack the forthcoming European elections.
All democracies are being destabilised by the expression of brutal anger, and Europe, home to some of the oldest of these democracies, is no exception.
Across the continent, violent, often contradictory demands are on the rise; initially, they are national, but then always destructive. An era of great change is also one of irrationality, which falls to the game of the conspiracy theorists, allowing so many lies to be told as they play on fears and divisions.
The union of Europe is a construction of reason intended to guarantee the survival of nations' identities in a larger world. Fragile and vulnerable because it is imperfect and unfinished, it does not take kindly to simplism and demagoguery, and so struggles to defend itself. It can only be judged with hindsight and over time.
We can criticise European policies and their imperfections, but we must recognise their achievements, foremost among which is their very existence. Moreover, membership of the European Union is hardly ever questioned.
It is therefore important for those fortunate enough to have the right to vote, firstly to exercise it, and secondly to do so with discernment. Disregarding it would be tantamount to desertion and using it as an instrument would be a bad deed.
When it comes to voting, we must first ask ourselves what it is for: in this case, to designate representatives to whom we confer the right to decide our future.
In Europe, the European Parliament is playing an increasing role in the drafting of common laws. Backed by its popular legitimacy, its influence is growing and its powers increasing with each election. Its composition will be crucial in shaping the future, and choosing its members is becoming progressively more important.
So, before a gesture of anger, the forthcoming vote is essentially about choosing the right people to represent the electorate and to make decisions, which requires careful thought.
Even before a national choice, it is a decision of a quasi-continental nature, which cannot be reduced to a single individual or national interest, without considering the European consequences.
It is more urgent than ever before to go to the ballot box. Democracy only wears out if you don't use it!
And it is necessary more than ever before to do so with the gravity demanded by wisdom, which is inseparable from the freedom of the voter.
