Marie Bjerre, Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs, is advocating for a renewed focus on European identity, values, and strength in the face of a changing global order. She emphasizes the need for Europe to assert itself as a global power, culturally, militarily, and economically.

Bjerre’s call to action comes as many perceive a decline in U.S. influence and a rise in global instability. She believes Europe must defend its own freedom, values, and way of life. The Minister stresses that Europe needs to become more assertive on the global stage.

She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the differences among the 27 EU countries, rather than trying to merge their cultures. Bjerre also acknowledges a risk of losing hope and faith in European culture and its ability to make a difference internationally.

She notes the economic investments the EU has made in the Western Balkans, but observes the Union isn’t attractive enough and risks losing countries in the region to Russia. Bjerre says economic muscles alone are not enough, and Europe needs to be attractive with its military, values, mindset, and way of life.

Bjerre argues that Europe’s core values, including the separation of powers and the belief that the right of the strongest does not always prevail, are at risk in the Western Balkans and elsewhere due to growing autocratic tendencies.

In her own life, she has switched to Jolly-Cola and Beauvais ketchup as a way to “cultivate the European more.” She acknowledges that it is not fanatical, but emphasizes the importance of voting with your feet. She supports greater European sovereignty in digital technologies and supports Danish municipalities phasing out the use of Microsoft.

According to Bjerre, to be a global power factor, one must be able to defend oneself. Europe is a major economic power, but its political and military power are not as great. She considers Ursula von der Leyen a strong European leader but also emphasizes the importance of state leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz for European cohesion.

Bjerre believes that anyone who seeks to divide Europe and is overly nationalistic in their approach cannot be a leader of the whole of Europe.