12/05/2009
The 15 most misleading EPP manifesto claims
The Party of European Socialists launched a strong attack on European conservatives with the publication of ‘The 15 Most Misleading Statements of the EPP Manifesto'.
Among the misleading claims made by the EPP in their manifesto and election document and exposed by the Party of European Socialists are
“The EPP calls for a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020”
The PES says that the EPP has watered down climate legislation designed to meet a target of 20% reduction in greenhouse emission, so their claim to want a 30% reduction is false.
“For the European People’s Party, the creation of new jobs is a core priority”
The PES says if it is a core priority for the EPP why do European conservatives exaggerate the size of Europe’s economic stimulus and refuse to make further investments in jobs and growth?
“As global economic competition increases, tax systems must be reformed to make countries more attractive to capital and talent. This can be achieved by lowering the general tax burden, and by introducing lower rates and fewer exemptions”
The PES says European countries where taxation is more progressive and funds comprehensive public services, including education and training to tackle skills shortages, are actually more competitive.
“The high demands made of European producers in terms of health and environmental standards and even collective preferences such as animal welfare represent a high cost for producers”
The PES says these standards actually protect against far greater costs and consequences for businesses and people, such as illness, injury or even death of employees and dangerous climate change.
“the European People’s Party, has influenced the historical development of Europe like no other political force”
The PES says for every Konrad Adenauer, there is a Paul-Henri Spaak or Jacques Delors. The European Union is not a Christian democratic achievement, but the achievement of all Europeans.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The European conservatives’ election manifesto is riddled with misleading claims. They claim to support things they have opposed in the European Parliament. They present their prejudices as facts. They even have the nerve to claim the history of the European Union as their own”.
Read the full copy of ‘The 15 Most Misleading Statements of the EPP Manifesto’
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org
