Modern Europe needs to find its “soul” and stop obsessing over bureaucracy, a former Italian Prime Minister who fell victim to a populist surge has said.
Matteo Renzi called on Brussels to focus on improving people’s lives rather than drawing up endless new diktats and fiscal targets.
In an at times light-hearted appearance at Ideas Abu Dhabi, he joked he had recently told Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister, that the UK’s chaotic exit from the EU had caused him to reassess his view of British politicians as competent.
He also claimed that while China was putting billions into artificial intelligence, Europe was investing in “natural stupidity”.
“Europe lost the last 10 years to discussing red tape and bureaucracy, stupid rules, and at the same time the world changed deeply,” he said.
“There are 50 or 60 people who come from Eritrea and Libya, arrive in Italy, and politicians say ‘there is an invasion.’
“This is 50 people, who escaped war, who risked life, who had a lot of problems.
“Exactly at the same hour that our populist politician is writing on Instagram or Facebook ‘we have an invasion’ because there are 60 people on the boat, in the same hour Xi Jinping, the president of China, invited 52 states of Africa and signed a cheque for $60 billion to create a strategy.
“This is a symbol and example – our problem today is the lack of vision for Europe.”
The politician, who remains an Italian Senator, told how his ancestors had gone to France to fight a war while his son would visit the country as part of the Erasmus exchange programme, an EU-run scheme designed to help students study abroad.
He said that fact was “beautiful” but insisted Europe needed to do more in defining a role for itself.
“We need a soul for the Europe of today and to build that we need to stop the stupid discussion of today – we continue to speak about the rules, deficit, budget and now, Brexit,” he said.
Referring to his conversation with Mr Blair this month, the 44-year-old added: “I grew up with British politicians as a model. Winston Churchill and, for me also, Tony Blair and the third way.
“Wonderful. So I grew up with the idea British politicians are the best around the world.
“Then I saw Brexit and I think it’s a symbol of Italian organisation, unbelievable.
“Jokes apart, this is a problem. There will be a future totally different – what is the role of Europe in that?
“I think invest in ideas, in the country. The real challenge for security is not the boat with 50 or 60 people in the Mediterranean, but in the cities we have a great danger for our community - if we don’t invest with education. Open theatres, open schools, open music halls, this is the role of Europe.”
Mr Renzi’s political career has suffered at the hands of populists. Seen as a centrist, he was forced to resign as Prime Minister after he lost a referendum in 2016 over constitutional reforms, which brought about an anti-establishment backlash.
Last year, he gave up leadership of Italy’s Democratic Party after a crushing defeat to the Five Star Movement, a populist anti-immigration party, which won the elections.
He claimed that promoting education was the correct response to the rising tide of populism, as well as preparing citizens for a changing world.
“Populism is a message against the establishment but also a message against the future,” he said.
“If we believe in an alternative we have to create people who study, who understand the problem. For that reason, I think education is the dam against populism, not reform, not politics.”
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Honeymoonish
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
THREE
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The years Ramadan fell in May
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
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