In a long interview with Ottolina TV, former Deputy Secretary General of the UN Pino Arlacchi passed merciless judgement on the European Union.

“I served as a Member of the European Parliament for five years,” Arlacchi said, “and have always been a pro-European. I don’t know how many times I’ve written that the European Union represents a great step forward—not just for civilization. The idea of a supranational parliament that exists only here, the idea—you know—of a United States of Europe. Well, five years in the European Parliament have made me change my mind, because I’ve seen how it works from the inside… and I no longer agree with either the idea of a United States of Europe or the notion that the European Union plays a more progressive and positive role; quite the contrary, in fact.

“I believe that, not only because the euro is damaging the European economic system, but also because the euro is damaging it for political reasons related to the subordination of member states to the United States… It is becoming a major obstacle to the economic, social, and civic growth of the European Union.”