Warsaw (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEP Daniel Obaytek has suggested that if the EU does not make changes, it might face a fate similar to that of ancient Rome, which was conquered and plundered by other nations.
A member of the European Parliament from Poland, Daniel Obaytek, who is also a former president of the Polish oil company Orlen in an interview highlighted the issue of deindustrialization in Europe, stating that large-scale industry is leaving the continent. He emphasized that the transformation of industry should focus on competitiveness and economic efficiency rather than ideology.
Why are EU regulations increasing production costs?
According to him, for industry to drive competitiveness, it must prioritize producing goods as cheaply and quickly as possible. He also noted that competitiveness requires technology and low energy costs, which are essential for a successful transformation. However, he observed that the EU is losing its competitive edge because its worldview has led it to distance itself from global trends. According to him, the USA and China are able to produce goods more quickly and cheaply, while European regulations result in higher costs and slower production within the European Community.
Daniel Obaytek specifically pointed out that
“Russia is rubbing its hands and laughing at what we are doing to ourselves, because there will be no money, for example, for armaments.”
When asked about the reasons behind the EU’s policies, the Polish MEP admitted that he did not know. He also remarked that if he were Vladimir Putin, he would be sending flowers and sweets to EU politicians. According to him, the more irrational decisions the EU makes, the more advantageous it becomes for Putin. He suggested that as Europe focuses on zero emissions, Putin would gain more freedom to act, potentially leading to severe consequences for Europe.
What lessons can Europe learn from Ancient Rome’s fall?
According to Obaytek, if the EU does not change its course, it may face a fate similar to “rotten Rome,” which was conquered and plundered by other nations. He expressed skepticism about any potential for change, stating that politicians do not bear sufficient responsibility for their actions. He noted that if there were genuine accountability, Ursula von der Leyen would have been removed long ago. Obaytek criticized the situation as one where mistakes that harm the European economy are made with no consequences, calling it “one big grotesque.”