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Party
of European Socialists' Newsletter

6
April 2011

HOT TOPIC

Taxing
speculators round 2: Semeta VS EU citizens

European citizens’ voices were heard in
the European Parliament on 8th March, as an overwhelming
majority of MEPs voted for the introduction of a European tax
targeting speculators. However, the European Commissioner for
Taxation Algirdas Semeta not only opposed such a tax but also
called the Parliament’s vote ‘irresponsible’. He is now trying
to by-pass the EP by leading a biased consultation targeted at
finance sector stakeholders. The PES condemns such methods and
calls on citizens to overcome Mr Semeta’s actions by signing up for a
financial transaction tax until 19 April.

Economy

Socialists
call European Council results ‘A never-ending story of
Conservative mismanagement”

“The conclusions of the European Council today
do not make a single reference to investment”,
said Party of European Socialists (PES) President,
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “How can Europeans, who
first and foremost want to hear about new jobs
being created, take these conclusions seriously.
Without investment there can be no job
creation”.

World

PES
calls on Syrian regime to stop violence against
demonstrators and to start democratic reform

On the 31st of January 2011
Syrian President Basher al-Assad claimed, in an
interview with the Wall Street Journal, that his
state is immune from the kind of mass protests
which have erupted in other countries of the
region. He has been proven wrong. In mid-March
demonstrations broke out in several Syrian cities,
such as Dara'a, Jassem, Nawa and Inkil.

Social
Europe

European
Vote ‘A green light to the far right’ as Conservative
vote to limit migrant worker rights

‘Sad day for European
Parliament reputation as protector of universal
rights’ says Socialist MEP

The Conservative majority
in the European Parliament today voted against the
principle of equal treatment for all workers in
the EU. Despite Socialist efforts to include key
provisions, the Conservatives decided to vote
against giving equal rights to migrant workers on
pensions, social security and the EU’s ‘posted’
worker’ law.

Social
Europe

PES
condemns Italian Government’s cynicism on Lampedusa
situation

‘Berlusconi must
realize that democracy is about acting on
principles not photo-ops’

The Party of European
Socialists (PES) deplores the slow actions of the
Italian Government in helping refugees coming to
their shores. The thousands fleeing the conflict
in North Africa have waited weeks, and have in
that time suffered severe deprivations. The PES
condemns the actions of the Italian Prime
Minister, which have not contributed positively to
the atmosphere.

EDITORIAL

A
European Political Space is born. A progressive response
to the “leadership deficit”
PES
President, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

There is now an urgent need to change track
for Europe. There is a growing desire for a new
progressive way in the European Political Space. March
2011 has seen events confronting the European Union at
an accelerated pace. From our leaders
meeting at the start of the month to the European
Council fudge on economic governance, from the rapid
escalation of the Libyan crisis to the human
consequences, there have been ample examples why a
strong European Union is needed.

News from PES members

Portugal:
a casualty of conservative tactics

PES Secretary General
congratulates Kaisa Penny and Thomas Maes for their
elections as new
ECOSY President and Secretary General

Bulgarian
citizens make their voices heard

"Arab
Springs" - Events are far from being over

Forthcoming events

7 April - PES
Coordination Team Meeting
12 April -
PES Women executive meeting
13 April -
PES Foreign Policy Network
14 April
- PES Presidency meeting
15 April -
PES Progressive Societies Advisory
Committee

Re:new

My
PES

Economy

Social
Europe

Environment

World

PES
Women

PES

More
news

PES

EU
Progressives move forward on press freedom principles

The fight for media freedom continues
at the European Parliament. Along with civil society
organisations and other political groups, the S&D
(Socialists and Democrats) group held a meeting on 31 March
2011 entitled “Towards a European Initiative for media
pluralism”. A proposal for a citizens’ initiative to put
pressure on the European Commission was discussed. While all
other major groups were present at the conference, the
conservative European People’s Party (EPP) refused to take
part in it.

Re:new

PES
calls for your input for next Progressive Societies
Committee!

On Friday 15th of April
experts from the academic world and member parties will meet
up in Brussels for the 3rd Progressive Societies advisory
committee that will be chaired by PES President Poul
Nyrup Rasmussen.

My PES

Beautiful
Brittany and Amazing Auvergne

In April and May this year, French PES
activists have organized two events which promise to be both
fun and educational.