Stand Up: Former PM of Czech Republic, Jan Fischer

The former Prime Minister and current Presidential candidate of the Czech Republic gave a speech in St Andrews on the Euro crisis, in conjunction with the Czech & Slovak and European Societies.

Unless you’ve been living in a bubble for the past few years, you’ll know that the European debt crisis has been looming over the heads of the continent’s leaders like a dissertation deadline over a nervous fourth year. Jan Fischer, current Presidential nominee in the Czech Republic and former Prime Minister, spoke on the Euro crisis and what it means for the future of the EU.

What’s the magic solution to bring about fiscal European stability?

If I [was in a] position to provide you a quick and brilliant answer, I’d be awarded the Nobel Prize. But what I want to say is that we have to find the solutions that will lead to the European economic recovery, the solution of today’s sovereign debt crisis, which will lead to a much more strategic debate about this continent. What I’m afraid of is that we shouldn’t have blind trust in the professionally performing international institutions that are under zero democratic control.

If there’s one thing Fischer is confident in however, it’s his faith in Europe itself.

I strongly support Europe for recovery. We are not a Europe of politicians, but a Europe of citizens.

The European Union did in fact win the Nobel Peace Prize earlier that day, resulting in slight confusion in many a citizen, including Fischer.

Of course I share the opinion of those who gave the prize to the EU, but on the other hand, I am surprised a little bit that no physical person has been awarded. [He was quick to clarify himself:] This is apparently an ambivalent position. You can clearly see I’m not a brilliant politician.

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Fischer often brought up the future of the EU in regards to its losing or gaining members within the next few years. Having traveled throughout southeastern Europe, he noted,

The idea of enlargement [of the EU to the Balkans] shouldn’t be swept from the table. The doors shouldn’t be closed.

When asked about the Czech Republic’s future in the UN, Fischer was quite certain of public opinion.

If you look at… the Czech Republic, a lot of people support the EU. If you ask people in my country if they want to break up [from the EU], they wouldn’t want to stop the EU project.

Though he seems to be handling his ever-mounting duties with dignity, Mr. Fischer did have some advice-for-life to share to St Andrews students… If he had to do it all over again, what would he change?

My message to students is that, if I was born again, I would study international relations.

(Good news for American students. He did however, note that he would take microeconomics and statistics courses, statistics being his degree from the University of Prague.)

But he became quite serious as he added,

My message for future politicians is to never forget the students and the people that you’re serving. They’re the essence. What Europe and this planet need are good and educated politicians.