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Party
of European Socialists' Newsletter

21
June 2011

HOT TOPIC

Reaching
Europeans' heart - interview with U.S. author of 'the
Political Brain'

On 9 June, Professor Drew Westen, renowned author of ‘the
Political Brain’, visited the PES in Brussels. Based on
decades of research as an internationally recognised clinical
psychologist, Professor Westen expanded on his central theme:
that progressive politicians need to reach out to voters in a
way that connects to peoples’ hearts as well as their heads.
In this interview he explains how using emotional intelligence
enriches rather than dilutes away from the political
appeal.

Economy

1000
Progressive Members of National Parliaments sign up for
EU tax on speculation

The Party of European
Socialists (PES) has launched an initiative to
collect 1000 signatures of Members of National
Parliaments to support a European tax on
speculation. The signatories will collectively
send a letter to Heads of state and government,
the President of the European Council Herman van
Rompuy, the President of the European Commission
José Manuel Barroso and EU Commissioner for
Taxation Algirdas Šemeta.

My PES

Moving
forward - Manifesto Days in Clermont Ferrand

On 27-29 May, in Clermont
Ferrand, I had the opportunity to meet PES
activists from all over Europe. The local city
group organized the “Manifesto Days”. Each year
activists from Clermont Ferrand host a meeting
open to all PES activists; this is the occasion to
exchange ideas, share campaign experiences and to
debate challenges facing EU citizens.

More news

PES
Employment Minsters criticises ‘absence of concern for
ordinary peoples lives’ in EU ‘reform programme’
recommendations

In a preparatory meeting
for EU Employment and Social Affairs meeting in
Luxembourg today, Party of European Socialists
(PES) Ministers criticised the Commission’s
proposal for recommendations for the ‘National
Reform Programmes’. The proposals were criticised
for not sufficiently reflecting the concerns of
ordinary people.

EDITORIAL

Stop
this talk of ‘core and periphery’ and recognise the EU
as whole
Poul Nyrup
Rasmussen, PES President

We are faced with the Eurozone crisis, as we
have been for well over a year now. Despite offering the
best solutions to the crisis, the PES is, unfortunately,
not in power. Instead, right-wing Governments, lead by
France and Germany, dominate the EU landscape. During
that time, Conservative politicians have gone from
denial to panic to reluctant acceptance of the need to
act. However, the words they have used have not changed.
Now we start the countdown to the European Council on
23-24 June. We cannot afford the same conservative
mistakes. We have signed up to the appeal of progressive
forces calling for a new direction. In the midst of
crisis it can sometimes be very revealing what words are
used.

News from PES members

PES
congratulates Italian Partito Democratico for the
overwhelming victory in local elections

PES
welcomes the positive results of Turkish elections

Forthcoming events

22 June - European Action Day for a
Financial Transaction Tax
23 June -
PES Leaders' Meeting
23-24 June -
European Council

Re:new

My
PES

Economy

Social
Europe

Environment

World

PES
Women

PES

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news