REMEMBER when Europe was mired in the worst possible nightmare, with countries across the continent grappling with toxic far right populists, the sudden arrival of thousands of refugees and continuing economic problems?

Not to be forgotten, of course, the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House shook the European Union to the core as did the unexpected Brexit vote.

The EU, we all said, was really down and out. Poor Europe, we said. It was a good thing while it lasted. But now it was on its last legs.

Well, think again — and, better still, look again. Europe is bouncing back, more resilient than we imagined, more upbeat than many expected.

And look who is crying now: Trump can’t shake off the probe into his Russian connections by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and with his many soap opera antics continues to provide fodder for America’s increasingly raucous comedians.

British politics, with its cliffhanger plots, evil villains and tainted heroes puts even the crassest Bollywood movies to shame. As Britain digs itself deeper into depression and despair, the EU -27 looks on with a mix of amusement and compassion.

Clearly, Europe still faces many challenges. And if the current optimistic mood is to be sustained, the “revolution” in France sparked by Emmanuel Macron as the new President and the gains made by his La République En Marche (Republic on the Move) party in the National Assembly must be followed up by quick moves to reassure a watching world that Europe is serious about change and reform.

So here are six quick and easy lessons that European leaders must keep in mind as they navigate new and sometimes choppy waters.

First, after almost a year of talking down Europe, it’s time to be upbeat about the future _ openly, publicly and with pride. But, at the same time, the energy generated by the French elections should be quickly channeled into serious discussions about giving shape to the European bounce-back through new policy initiatives which accelerate EU -wide change and reform.

Second, even as Europeans mourn America and Britain’s slow slide into irrelevance it should seize the moment to make Europe matter even more on the global stage on key issues like global governance,

security and climate change. In a quick-moving world, nobody is stopping for America. And as Global Britain behaves more like “Little England”, it inspires little respect.

Third, EU leaders should celebrate the power and political nous of young Europeans and “citizens of the world”, including ethnic minorities who turned out in huge numbers to vote in the British elections, giving a bloody nose to the ruling conservative party in the process. Macron’s success is also proof that building a new and more vibrant Europe is about reaching out to all citizens, regardless of age, colour or faith.

Fourth, the current political landscape is proof that it is possible to defeat populists and populism, but only if the politicians who take them on are authentic, passionate, social media savvy — and strong enough to fight fire with fire.

Europe needs a new narrative based on openness, inclusion and compassion. Both France and Britain have shown that there is limited appetite among voters for racists and hate-mongers. This should be kept in mind, especially ahead of the 2019 elections to the European Parliament.

Fifth, the political turmoil in London is proof that whatever Theresa May and her cabinet may say in public, no scenario — even a reversal of the Brexit decision through another referendum — can be ruled out at this stage. The focus at the moment is on the diminishing attraction of a “hard” Brexit and growing support for a “soft” one which sees Britain in the EU customs union and single market.

Who’s to know what will happen on the British political stage in the coming months?

Six, even as Europe and Europeans celebrate the EU’s ability to cope with massive disruption, there are still massive challenges ahead. Poland and Hungary continue to pose a threat to Europe’s core values,

including human rights. Economic problems abound in Greece and the Eurozone economies are still under- performing.

Important elections are coming up in Germany and having defeated the toxic Far Right politician Geert Wilders, Dutch politicians are still struggling to establish a coalition government. And so on.

Still as I look at the changed European landscape and the changed, confident and upbeat EU conversation, all I can say is “what a difference a year makes”.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2017

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