PES newsletter - April 2010
PES newsletter - April 2010
Greek credit rating Junk Status is the cost of Merkel playing domestic politics on international stage
The downgrading of Greece’s sovereign credit rating to junk status is an indictment of Angela Merkel’s ‘policy of prevarication’. Since January of this year, fully four months ago, the Eurozone has looked in vain for leadership from Germany. However all this time Ms. Merkel has decided to put local politics before international solidarity. The downgrading of Greece’s credit rating is the result. This situation was entirely avoidable.
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France and Germany must change strategy on the economic crisis
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen called on German and French leaders to remember their role in the EU, at a high level Commission conference on the way out of the economic crisis. He also spoke of the PES plan for the Greek crisis. The PES President had received good support from German colleagues at an SPD conference in Berlin, the previous week. On 27 April, the European Commission presented its proposal (part I and part II) on the integrated guidelines for growth and jobs. The so called ‘integrated guidelines’ fails to give clear directions on a way out of the crisis for those hardest hit. The PES Ministers and State Secretaries in charge of the General Affairs Council met on 25 April to discuss these issues, on the basis of PES draft position papers on the Europe 2020 strategy and the Integrated Guidelines.
Financial Transaction Tax Now!
On Saturday 24 April, the PES held a European Day of Action to promote our campaign for a global tax on financial transactions. With over 50 events organised in nearly 20 EU Member States, the PES Action Day was a big success. It helped keep up momentum following the publication of the much anticipated report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on “fair burden sharing” on 22 April.
PES Balkans Conference points to a Social Democratic future for the region
On 30-31 March, the Party of European Socialists (PES) held its annual Balkan Conference with the topic “Progressive Societies in the Balkans” in Sarajevo. It was hosted by the SDP of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main topics discussed included the PES vision for the region, “Enlargement 2014”, fair economies and social inclusion and sustainable development. PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and SDP Bosnia and Herzegovina President Zlatko Lagumdžija gave a Press Conference on the results.
On 19 April, Croatia closed the chapter of free movement of goods resulting in a provisional agreement with the EU. Such a development marks another crucial step forward towards EU membership.
PES General Secretary addresses European Metal Workers
Philip Cordery addressed over 1000 European Metalworkers at a Brussels demo on 23 April. The demo, organised by the European Metalworkers Federation (EMF) was to protest at speculative inflation of key commodities, resulting in job pressures on the steel sector. Meanwhile, the G20 employment ministers met for the first time in history on 21-22 April in Washington to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on jobs. They shared experience on job creation and social protection. EU Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner László Andor gave an address by video.
Green vehicles for a sustainable future
Increasing the number of electric cars on Europe’s road will not only contribute to combating climate change, but it is a unique opportunity for European companies to increase their competitiveness and to generate new growth. On 28 April, the European Commission adopted a Communication on a European Strategy on Clean and Energy Efficient Vehicles. From the PES’ point of view, supporting electric cars should be linked to further increasing the amount of renewable energy and it should go hand in hand with strengthening public transport, to allow low-carbon transport for all in society.
Zita Gurmai promotes rose ribbon for future without Breast Cancer
Within the European Union, 5 years ago, every 2.5 minutes a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 7.5 minutes a woman died because it. PES Women President, Zita Gurmai MEP, has put her support behind a campaign in the European Parliament to promote EU-wide breast cancer screening for women. Britta Thomsen MEP also added her support.
EU discussions on European External Action Service continue
On 25 March, HRVP Catherine Ashton published her draft proposal on the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service. The subject remains a matter of controversy. First, the European Parliament wants to have a decisive role in the EEAS and wants to be consulted regularly. Second, there is a debate between the Commission and the Member States on the role the different EU institutions have with regards to policy priorities, structure, staffing and competences of the service.
8th round of negotiations on the proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) conclude
The 8th round of ACTA negotiations, held in Wellington, New Zealand, agreed to increase international protection of intellectual property and to combat trading with counterfeit and pirated goods. The negotiations documents were publicized in reaction to lingering criticism by NGOs and civil society claiming that the process lacks transparency. The next meeting for ACTA negotiations is set for June 2010 in Switzerland.
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PES member parties
Sadly news has been dominated by the tragic events in Poland. The PES have expressed their condolences to the friends and relatives of those involved and has made a special tribute to PES Presidency Member Jolanta Szymanek-Deresz.
In the Netherlands, the mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen has been elected as leader of the PvdA (Dutch Labour Party). This took place at the PvdA congress in Nijmegen on 25 April 2010. Mr. Cohen will head the PvdA campaign for the Dutch Parliamentary Elections on 9 June.
In Austria Heinz Fischer (SPÖ) has been overwhelmingly re-elected as President of the 2nd Republic of Austria with 78.9% of the votes.
On May 6 all eyes will turn to the Election in the United Kingdom. The UK Labour Party is fighting hard in the final week.
North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), will stage crucial elections on 9 May, with the SPD expected to make a strong showing. These Elections have recently become tangled up in European issues, particularly the Greek crisis. SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel is leading the charge in the elections for a fair result for German workers and for Greek citizens.
Upcoming events
April
29 - PES Presidency
May
9 - PES Foreign Affairs Ministers
10 - PES Social Europe Network
