In The Spotlight

PES to hold carbon-neutral Congress in Prague

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:08:33 +0100

The PES has announced today that its upcoming Congress on 7 & 8 December, the Party’s largest gathering that brings together over a thousand delegates twice every five years, will be entirely carbon-neutral.

The decision had an across-the-board impact on the organisation of the Congress, and the PES will among other things: give all participants a 2-day tram ticket, reduce heating in the conference venue, minimise the distribution of paper by distributing only documents to be voted on, and replace the use of flowers with plants.

The emissions that were deemed incompressible for maintaining a functional Congress will be fully offset through the financing of a biomass project in Rajasthan, India.

The Party is also advising delegates to avoid travel by airplane, to use public transport, and to make use of a carbon footprint calculating facility that will be provided to them at the Congress, allowing them to offset emissions produced through their personal travel.

Commenting on the PES’s first carbon-neutral Congress, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: “In our European Election manifesto we pledged to make Europe a global force against climate change, and our own events and operations are no exception.”

“For the PES, the carbon-neutral Congress marks the beginning of a profound adjustment that concerns our everyday work practices as much as our large pan-European gatherings”, Rasmussen added.

PES Secretary General Philip Cordery and Czech Social Democratic Party Chairman Jiří Paroubek will give a press conference on the carbon-neutral congress and the green agenda tomorrow Friday at 2:30pm in Stromovka Park, Prague.

PES Congress 2009 - Media advisory

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:53:09 +0100

8th PES CONGRESS IN PRAGUE

WHAT Major convention of European Socialists and Social Democrats on the future of progressive societies in the 21st century. The Party of European Socialists is Europe’s second largest political family, represented in all EU institutions. The PES congress will define a new way forward after the European elections and propose a new progressive agenda to exert maximum influence in the European Union over the next five years.

WHEN 7 & 8 December 2009

WHERE Prague, Czech Republic – Industrial Palace (Prumyslovy palac), Vystaviste Holesovice, Prague 7

WHO 1500 party delegates, member organisations, ministers, MEPs, activists and many local and international guests, including Werner Fayman (Austria), Elio Di Rupo (Belgium), Caroline Gennez (Belgium), Sergei Stanishev (Bulgaria), Yiannakis L. Omirou (Cyprus), Jiri Paroubek (Czech Republic), Helle Thorning-Schmidt (Denmark), Jutta Urpilainen (Finland), Martine Aubry (France), Sigmar Gabriel (Germany), George Papandreou (Greece), Ildikó Lendvai (Hungary), Eamon Gilmore (Ireland), Janis Dinevics (Latvia), Algirdas Butkevčius (Lithuania), Alex Bodry (Luxembourg), Joseph Muscat (Malta), Frans Timmermans (Netherlands), Jens Stoltenberg (Norway), Grzegorz Napieralski (Poland), Adrian Nastase (Romania), Robert Fico (Slovakia), Borut Pahor (Slovenia), Vladimir Spidla (European Commission), Stefan Fuele (European Commission), Maria Damanaki (European Commission), Maros Sefcovic (European Commission), Martin Schulz (S&D Group in the EP), Geoffery Sachs (Earth Institute and Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon), Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (PES President)

DRAFT AGENDA

Sunday 6 December
18.45 – 19.00 Prime Ministers and Party Leaders arrive for PES Leaders Meeting

Monday 7 December
08.00 – 08.30              Photo opportunity “Carbon neutral congress” on tram with Jiri Paroubek
and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
09.00 – 10.30              Opening speeches & vote on PES President
10.30 – 12.00              A new direction for Progressive societies: speeches and debate
12.15 – 12:30              Plenary speech by George Papandreou, Prime Minister, Greece
12.30 – 13:00              Leaders’ photo, Activity reports, Results of vote on PES President
13.30 – 14:00              Press Conference with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
14.45 – 17.30              People first: a progressive European Agenda - speeches and debate
17.30 – 19.00              Climate change: panel discussion and debate,
   and presentation of carbon neutral PES Congress

Tuesday 8 December
09:30 – 10:00              Vote on new members and new Presidency
10.00 – 10.30              Greetings from International guests
10.30 – 11.45              Panel on Europeans for Financial Reform
11.45 – 12.00              Plenary speech by Werner Faymann, Chancellor of Austria
12.00 – 12.30              Vote on resolutions
12.30 – 13.00              Midday press conference with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and others
14.30 – 15.45              Panel and questions: A new way forward, a stronger PES
15.45 – 16.30              Closing session

MEDIA INFORMATION

To register online go to http://www.tfaforms.com/126505
All sessions in draft agenda above are open to press, stills photographers and to TV cameras
All sessions above will be filmed by the PES (pool leader) and footage will be available free on site and from our website – for queries regarding footage contact Julien.Celin@pes.org

Media facilities will include

A working space for journalists with desks, power supply for personal computers, free internet connection, a limited number of computers and printers
A press conference room and interview areas

For further information please contact Silke Thomson on 0032 2 548 90 85 or 0032 476 94 22 70

PES Ministers demand 'Entry strategy into the labour market'

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:34:44 +0100

Meeting today at the headquarters of the Party of European Socialists in Brussels, the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers of nine EU Member States called for co-ordinated EU action to provide sustainable jobs across the continent.

In a joint declaration released after the meeting, the ministers explain that the European discussion of an exit strategy comes 'too early', and call instead for an ‘entry strategy into the labour market’. Such a strategy would include active labour market policies, concerted efforts at creating jobs in new growth sectors, and reforming the EU's Lisbon Strategy into a long-term recovery and development programme.

Commenting on the meeting, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: “Next year we will have more than 27 million people without a job in Europe. If we would chose to exit recovery programmes now, the unemployment and social crises would become even worse. We as European social democrats and socialists therefore ask for an entry strategy into the labour market.“

Portuguese Employment and Social Affairs Minister Maria Helena André, Chairperson of the PES Social Ministers Network, said: “The fight against unemployment must be our top priority. To maintain people in work, to create new and decent jobs in order to allow for an inclusive labour market is our endeavour.”

PES congratulates Mircea Geoana on solid result

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:59:00 +0100

Mircea Geoana, the leader of the Romanian social democratic party PSD, has delivered a high score in Romania’s first round of presidential elections, after significantly narrowing his margin to a bare 1.25% in relation to the incumbent.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, sent his congratulations to Mircea Geoana, and commented: "This is a great result for Mircea Geoana and the PSD. The Party of European Socialists is delighted about the high electoral support he enjoys for the office of President of Romania."

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen added: "I have great confidence that Mircea Geoana can win the run-off in the presidential elections on the 6th December and wish him every success. Europe is looking forward to welcoming him as Romania’s president."

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70

Time to stop violence against women

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:26:03 +0100

PES Women and MEPs from the S&D Group of the European Parliament urged Member States and the incoming Commission to step up efforts towards eradicating violence against women, on the occasion of the UN’s International Day (25 November) dedicated to the cause.

Their concerns are articulated in a Declaration presented in Stockholm on 14 November, which calls for improved legislation, prevention measures, support, and exchanges of best practice. It also urges the incoming Spanish Presidency of the Council to make the issue a priority, and to "promote Spanish legislation as a basis for a common European legislative approach".

Addressing the European Commission directly, the prominent European policy-makers call on the institution to adopt a gender based approach when dealing with human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence.

In addition they propose that the Commission promotes the Daphne III programme as a means of reaching non-profit organisations dealing with violence against women.

Commenting on the Declaration, President of PES Women and MEP Zita Gurmai, said: “The 25 November has been marked by women’s rights activists for almost three decades. But the elimination of violence against women will only come within reach when a collaborative and informed effort is made on the local, national and European levels”.

“PES Women and the S&D Group in the European Parliament will continue to put forward proposals and to apply pressure on the Commission towards that direction”, she added.

PES hails appointment of Catherine Ashton as breakthrough for Europe

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:45:15 +0100

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, hailed the agreement of the European Council on the new EU High Representative and the Council as “a significant agreement for the political balance of the European Union”.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, commented: “The appointment of Catherine Ashton is a great moment for the PES as well as for the women of Europe. Catherine Ashton is an extremely qualified and trusted politician who will build collective European influence on the world stage.”

“The PES is happy to have succeeded in concluding this agreement with the EPP to ensure political balance and gender equality in the top European jobs. The negotiation process has proven that the PES family has pulled its weight and that we can make a difference when we act together” Poul Nyrup Rasmussen added.

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70

PES is calling for fair representation of women in the EU

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:03:56 +0100

On the eve of the EU summit, PES Women are calling on Mr Barroso and all EU heads of state to ensure that the new college of Commissioners will be gender balanced and will represent women in Europe.

Zita Gurmai MEP, President of PES Women, expressed serious concerns about the current nomination process of the new college of Commissioners, in which, in the foreseeable scenario, there will only be two or three women among the 27 Commissioners.

Zita Gurmai said: “This tiny proportion does not, first and foremost, represent women in Europe, where around 53%, a clear majority, are women.”

“I wonder how one expect women to respect and identify with such an EU Commission? Or even, what image the European Commission wants to portray? If we do not take into account all the talent that society has to offer, it should come as no surprise that women are Eurosceptic and reluctant to vote in European Elections.”

“The PES campaigned for a gender-equal European Commission and gender-equal European Parliament and we also called for the creation of a European Commissioner for Gender Equality. Now is the time for Mr Barroso to deliver on the Commission.”

PES Women members therefore urge

the Commission President José Manuel Barroso to make another round of consultation with Member States' governments, making clear that anything less than was already achieved by the former Commission is not acceptable (i.e. at least 27% of women Commissioners);
the EU Commission to adhere to international commitments made by all EU governments for gender-balanced representation in all EU decision-making positions;
all MEPs to reject a Commission which is in such stark contrast with the principles and values of the EU.

Note to editors:

1, Zita Gurmai MEP, President of PES Women, will be taking part in a protest of female MEPs today, at 13h15 on the corner of rue Froissart (coming from EP), wearing ties and carrying their CVs in order to give them to the Council, before the summit meeting on Thursday 19th November. A photo of the protest will be available from the PES press office.

2. Open letter from PES Women President regarding gender balanced European Commission

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70

Tunisia can't get advanced status due to tense human rights situation

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:28:39 +0100

Since the last presidential election on 25th October 2009, the human rights situation has worsened recently in Tunisia. In a widely-contested election, President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali was re-elected to a fifth mandate. Since the presidential election, the regime has been targeting human rights activists, journalists, political opponents and trade unionists in an attempt to silence any criticism.

The Tunisian regime has not tolerated any kind of critical voices, responding violently to national opposition (as in the cases of Tawfik Ben Brick and Sihem Ben Sedrine) and international critics alike (for example Florence Beaugé).

This happens while Tunisia is looking to receive the "advanced partner status" from the EU. Such a status upgrade would pave the way for a "common economic space" based on the rules of the European Economic Area, a deeper free trade agreement, access to European security agencies and crisis management operations, and regular political summits between the EU and Tunisia.

Receiving this status requires the applicant country to display democratic progress, rule of law, and justice, all of which, the PES considers to have been violated in Tunisia by the current regime.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said today: "The Tunisian government’s actions are unacceptable. It should treat its people and political opponents better. It must stop persecuting those who oppose the government. The regime must respect fundamental freedoms, if it aims for closer relations with the EU. Advanced status for Tunisia is out of question in the current situation."

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70

PES Ministers agree on bold EU Development policy under Lisbon

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:07:23 +0100

Meeting on the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, PES Development and Cooperation Ministers agreed today that EU development policy, implemented closely with the new High Representative, must retain a sufficient level of autonomy and ambition as the Lisbon Treaty comes into force.

In a statement released after the meeting, the Ministers and PES Party Spokespersons specified that this autonomy could be granted through “a single development service within the Commission under the authority of a Commissioner for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs.”

The Ministers agreed that the principle of autonomy must furthermore be applied to climate financing for adaptation and mitigation, which should be “additional to existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds”. The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, according to the statement, “should decide on a long-term plan for a new environmental regime which will affect the planet at large.”

Addressing the issue of financing emissions reductions internationally, the Ministers suggested exploring innovative financial mechanisms. The suggested mechanisms include financial transaction taxes and the use of Special Drawing Rights (the IMF’s ‘basket’ currency). Meanwhile the impact of the economic crisis on developing countries requires developed countries to maintain their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments without changes to rules that may lead to deviations from the objective of poverty eradication.

PES Ministers also discussed policy coherence and coordination, stressing that all policies with an impact on developing countries should be coherent with development policy and its objectives.

The meeting was attended by Soraya Rodríguez, Secretary of State for Cooperation, Spain; Laszlo Varkoniy, Secretary of State of International Development, Hungary; Mike Foster, Minister of State for International Development, Great Britain; Maria Arena MP, PS Belgium; Marleen Temmerman MP, SPa Belgium; Thijs Berman MEP, Coordinator of the S&D Group; and Enrique Guerrero Salom MEP, PSOE Spain.

Participants list

PES concerned about treatment of Bulgarian Socialist Party

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:51:01 +0100

The Bulgarian Prime Minister's comments on banning the country's main opposition Socialist Party raised concerns at the Party of European Socialists.

The PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen is calling on Bulgaria to uphold democracy, defend political pluralism and fundamental rights.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said today: "We express our support for the Bulgarian Socialist Party, not only as the major opposition party in Bulgaria, but also as a member of the Party of European Socialists."

"The PES strongly opposes such threats, insults and pressure on members and supporters of a political party, regardless of its political orientation, simply because they voice different opinions from those of the Prime Minister and his party."

"Europe expects the Bulgarian government to observe the principles of democracy, freedom of speech and the rule of law. This includes respecting the right to difference of opinion and defending political pluralism."

"Failure to show such respect would be a major step back from 20 years of efforts by the people of Bulgaria to build and preserve a democratic society."

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70

PES welcomes completion of Lisbon Treaty ratification

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:46:38 +0100

The signing of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech President Vaclav Klaus completes the drawn out ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: "I am delighted that the Lisbon Treaty has cleared its final hurdle. This treaty makes Europe more democratic, more effective and gives us a stronger basis to overcome common challenges together. Europe now needs to focus on fighting the financial and economic crisis and stopping mass unemployment."

Jiri Paroubek, Leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), commented: "The Czech Social Democratic Party put considerable political capital into the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. That is why we appreciate the decisive ratification of the EU Lisbon Treaty. The signature of the Treaty by Czech President Mr. Vaclav Klaus within few hours after the decision of the Constitutional Court, justifies our prudent attitude to Mr. Vaclav Klaus."

For further comment/interview bids:
Silke Thomson - 0032 2 548 90 85 or +32 476 94 22 70

PES leaders appoint troika to negotiate top EU positions

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:59 +0100

In a meeting this afternoon ahead of the European summit, the Prime Ministers of the Party of European Socialists appointed a troika consisting of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Werner Faymann and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen to negotiate the position of President of the Council or the position of High Representative on behalf of the PES Prime Ministers.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, said: “Today the PES Prime Ministers agreed to speak and negotiate with a strong, common voice to maximise our influence to hold one of the two key EU posts. This sturdy co-ordination will help us to find the right person to represent our values.”

The PES Prime Ministers also discussed the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen. Additionally, they rejected calls for an early exit strategy from stimulus packages and agreed instead on the need for an ‘entry strategy’ into the labour market.

Photo gallery of the meeting

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on 0032 2 548 90 85 or +44 7941463912

Buying their way out of regulation: hedge funds, private equity and the UK Conservative Party

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:32:13 +0200

By Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

Read the research paper on how lobbying by the UK Conservative party and London Mayor against European regulation of hedge funds and private equity funds coincides with a recent surge of massive donations from the industry.

Billions in bailouts, millions of jobs lost, homes repossessed, small businesses gone bust, pension savings disappeared. People have learnt the lessons of the financial crisis the hard way. But just 18 months after the collapse of two Bear Stearns affiliated hedge funds sent shockwaves through the financial system, the hedge fund industry is arguing there’s no need for better regulation. This flies in the face of the evidence and also goes against the consensus achieved in the G20 with Obama’s administration and the EU on the vital need for tougher rules.

Hedge funds are characterized by the same factors that make banks systemic – they use leverage, very high in many cases. Their fabled absolute returns – which made them so attractive to institutional investors - have turned into substantial losses, eradicating many people’s hard-earned pension money. Moreover, their pro-cyclical behaviour has aggravated the crisis through massive “herd behaviour” in sales and aggressive naked short selling.

Additionally, the overleveraging and value extraction of private equity leveraged buy-out funds have weakened firms, leading to an increase in corporate defaults during the crisis, thereby further undermining the economy and jobs.

I want a strong, transparent and competitive financial industry. But the crisis showed that the financial industry was not competitive. It was short-termist, overleveraged, disengaged with the needs of the real economy and pursuing activities which the FSA Chairman Lord Turner and the CEO of Goldman Sachs Lloyd Blankfein now term “socially useless”.

The danger we now have is of “regulatory capture” - as Nobel Prize Winner George Stigler warned in his seminal work Theory of Economic Regulation - whereby the financial industry invests massive resources into “capturing” regulation for its private benefit to the detriment of the end-beneficiaries: the individual citizens and businesses in Europe and across the world who’ve suffered the consequences of this crisis. The first signs are already there: the industry is deploying armies of lobbyists, including London’s Mayor Boris Johnson, 77% of whose mayoral campaign they financed; they have also donated over £3 million to the Tories in the first six months of 2009 – that’s 45% of all individual donations and more than a quarter of public and private donations to the Conservative Party. It’s clear why the Conservatives are the only mainstream political party to be lobbying hard against the principle of regulation.

The UK vs Europe on financial regulation is a false dichotomy. The European directive will give alternative investment funds access to the entire Single Market – the biggest economy in the world. But it will also mean that we won’t have to learn the lessons of this crisis a second time.

PES congratulates Obama on Nobel Peace Prize

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:10:57 +0200

The PES congratulates U.S. President Barack Obama on being awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

In his first ten months in office, President Obama has fearlessly turned the page on the unilateral foreign policy of the Bush Administration and promoted international dialogue. This constitutes a radical change not only in American policy, but also in international relations. We can already see the positive effects of this approach, with new commitments on the Anti-Missiles System in Europe; with efforts to relaunch the Middle East peace process; with the dialogue with Iran; with the renewal of relations with the Muslim world; with ordering the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to be shut down, and many other promising steps.

Reacting to President Obama’s Nobel Prize award, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: “Since the beginning of his presidency, President Obama has courageously transformed the international climate for the better, and I strongly applaud that.“

“President Obama has described his selection as a ‘call to action’ for the world to cooperate on these issues. I am pleased to say that the PES shares his mission and welcomes Obama’s Nobel victory as an encouragement not only of his foreign policy, but of the emergent global cooperation. We support him and view his selection as an historic moment for progressive politics.”

PES congratulates Thorbjørn Jagland on his election as Secretary General of the Council of Europe

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:55:44 +0200

PES President, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, congratulates former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, on his election as Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

On a letter addressed to Jagland, PES President writes "The Council of Europe has worked towards developing and defending human rights, democratic development and cultural co-operation for the last sixty years, and I am very pleased that the new Secretary General is a progressive politician who will further these values."

"As a vocal advocate of European integration, I know you will be an effective leader of the oldest international organisation working towards this end."

Read the letter

PES urges the Romanian President to act constructively on national and European issues

admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:28:21 +0200

The leader of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Poul Nyrup Rasmussen commented today on recent developments on the Romanian political scene, after the PSD was forced out of government.

"What the Romanian President did as concerns the governmental situation in this country is a detrimental step against both Romanian and European interests. This is the only possible qualification for forcing out of government a senior partner in a moment of crisis when the Romanian people need more than ever bipartisan support to take the proper measures in order to get over economic and social hardship. It is also an amazing gesture on the eve of Presidential elections and of negotiations for the European commissioner job.”

“The European Commission needs Socialist & Democrat support to see its projects approved by the European Parliament. The EU executive should be bipartisan and reflect the European Parliament’s structure by having several top S&D commissioners. The PES believes that Romania - where the PSD won the EP elections - should propose a social democrat candidate for an EC portfolio.”

“The PES urges the Romanian President to leave egos aside and act in the Romanian and European interest by nominating a top social democrat candidate, with an EU-wide reputation, for the position of European Commissioner, thereby ensuring a smooth approval in the European Parliament."

Greeks open a road to change

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:24:08 +0200

The PES congratulates George Papandreou and PASOK on their sweeping victory in yesterday’s Greek polls.

Commenting on the election result, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Papandreou’s victory is the change Greece so desperately needed. The EUR 3 billion stimulus plan for green growth and jobs is ambitious but realistic given the tough steps that will be taken to tackle tax evasion, corruption and inefficiencies. Voters have rejected the conservative austerity measures that would have been disastrous for Greece’s growth and long-term sustainability”.

“This victory shows that modern social democracy is a fundamental part of Europe’s future”, Rasmussen added.

Yes! This is a great day for progress in Europe

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:34:47 +0200

Commenting on the outcome of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said:

“I want to thank the Irish people for voting Yes to a better future together with all Europeans. The Irish people know that we have all got to work together now: to fight the financial and economic crisis and stop mass unemployment. It is only through common action amongst Europe’s progressive forces that we are going to stop this crisis ever happening again”.

”The Lisbon Treaty gives us more democracy, more efficiency and a stronger basis to fight common challenges. The Irish Yes vote is a setback for all those anti Europeans who wanted to undermine progress for people across the EU. The anti Europeans are increasingly isolated and not in tune with people’s desire to be part of a common, democratic Europe”.

[Photo: Labour Party Ireland]

For further comment/interview bids, please contact Silke Thomson on +32 476 94 22 70

PES condemns Benjaafar exclusion from Tunisian election

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:13:58 +0200

The PES denounces the exclusion of Dr. Mustapha Benjaafar from the presidential elections in Tunisia. The decision of the country’s Constitutional Council to declare his candidacy invalid is based on dubious reasoning and amounts to an illegitimate attempt to knock him off the presidential race.

The ruling was issued on grounds that Benjaafar had not been elected party leader in the last two years. In reality, Dr. Benjaafar has been recognised as the legitimate leader of the party for the past seven consecutive years. The ruling is nothing less than a direct blow to the prospect of free elections, in favour of the existing regime.

Dr. Benjaafar is in fact both the founder and the current Secretary General of the FDTL party, a partner of the PES and a member of the Socialist International, recognised as an official party since 2002.

Commenting on the ruling, PES Secretary General Philip Cordery said:”The exclusion of Dr. Mustapha Benjaafar from the presidential race is unacceptable. His party stands for democracy, freedom, and social justice, and his forced removal from the electoral race constitutes the undermining of these values. Dr. Benjaafar is an honest contestant; political pluralism and fair elections are needed so that the people of Tunisia can have the option of choosing an alternative to the existing regime”.

The presidential elections are due to take place on 25 October, in which current President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali hopes to secure a fifth consecutive term. After seizing power in a coup in 1987, Ben Ali modified the constitution in 2004 to allow himself to remain in office. His regime has been accused of numerous human rights violations, notably against political dissidents.

PES congratulates Portuguese Socialists on victory in general elections

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:44:10 +0200

The PES congratulates Prime Minister José Sócrates and the Portuguese PS (Socialist Party) for their victory in yesterday’s general elections.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “this is a good outcome for the PS and it is the result of four years of progressive governance. The result shows that the Portuguese people support the social policies implemented by José Sócrates and reject the right-wing pessimism at a moment when the financial crisis affects the EU the most”.

Now G20 must deliver a financial transaction tax

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:25:56 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen hailed the G20’s Pittsburgh meeting as "potentially historic", but the next few months would be crucial for its legitimacy.

"The Pittsburgh summit is potentially historic as it creates a permanent structure for global economic government. But people in Europe and across the world will not accept the G20’s legitimacy unless it now urgently delivers jobs-focused green recovery, fairness in burden-sharing and tough regulation of the whole financial system", Rasmussen said.

"I believe the next frontier for the G20 is to agree a global financial transaction tax. Next month’s European Council should put it firmly on the table. We simply need fairer taxation to finance new investments for sustainable, green recovery and job creation."

The PES President welcomed the new G20 commitments to fight mass unemployment and its rejection of an "exit strategy".

"The crisis has already destroyed 8 million jobs in Europe and is destroying 59 million globally. Progressive leaders and trade unions have succeeded in securing G20 commitment to a new wave of jobs-focused, coordinated economic stimulus. I am delighted that the G20 rejected Merkel’s ill-conceived exit strategy."

Commenting on this week’s launch of the new Europeans for Financial Reform campaign, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "This week’s Pittsburgh launch of Europeans for financial reform creates a new trans-atlantic alliance for real system change, alongside Americans for financial reform. Together we will give voice to ordinary people across Europe and the world, pressing the G20 and EU to deliver so that we never have to suffer the consequences of such a crisis again."

Background information:

Europeans for Financial Reform is a new pan-European campaign advocating comprehensive financial reform in Europe and globally. It was kick-started in the weeks ahead of the Pittsburgh summit by a wide coalition of NGOs, trade unions, politicians and ordinary citizens.

Press Release and video
Website

Pan-European campaign tells G20 to 'regulate finance now'

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:50:35 +0200

A new pan-European campaign advocating comprehensive financial reform in Europe and globally was kick-started today by a wide coalition of NGOs, trade unions, politicians and ordinary citizens.

The campaign, named 'Regulate Global Finance Now!' was unveiled in Brussels together with a new website by the heads of the organisations that formed the 'Europeans for Financial Reform' coalition.

Beginning with the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, where the campaigners will be joined by their American counterparts (Americans for Financial Reform), the coalition will attempt to channel the momentum that has gathered around financial reform towards "transforming the financial status quo".

The regulation of bankers' pay and bonuses, new democratic corporate governance and a global tax on financial transactions are just some of the measures that the coalition promises to demand from leaders later this week in Pittsburgh.

Speaking during the launch of the campaign, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES President and co-Chair of the Global Progressive Forum, said “Europeans for financial reform will give voice to the outrage of citizens across Europe and demand to regulate global finance now. European and world leaders need to act at this week’s G20 - if they don’t we risk new financial crises in future.”

Europeans for financial reform : launch of the campaign from PES_Party of European Socialists on Vimeo.

John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, said “Our global economic system has suffered a heart attack, albeit not a fatal one, because of the behaviour of its financiers. We must ensure that they will not be allowed to resume ‘business as usual’”

Conny Reuter, General Secretary of Solidar, said “We have seen EU governments having to close down schools and hospitals as a result of the crisis. That is the immediate result of lack of regulation. We now need to contribute to a large campaign, which will include civil society, to regulate finance”

Bernadette Ségol, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa, said “the business culture and business practices in companies must be changed. The underlying principle must be that these practices ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of a company and decrease systemic risks in the finance industry“.

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies was represented by its General Secretary Ernst Stetter, and the Global Progressive Youth Forum was represented by Jana Besamusca, ECOSY Secretary General.

The campaign has launched a website and invites citizens and organisations to join the movement for reform. You can find out more at http://europeansforfinancialreform.org

PES congratulates Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:51:02 +0200

The PES congratulates Yukio Hatoyama on becoming Prime Minister of Japan on Wednesday. His Democratic Party of Japan won an impressive electoral victory on 30th August, securing 327 of 480 seats in Japan’s lower house. This marks a break from the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, which ruled Japan almost without interruption for more than 50 years. Mr. Hatoyama has invited the Social Democratic Party and the People’s New Party to form the new coalition government.

The PES is very pleased with the results of the election and with Prime Minister Hatoyama assuming the top political position in Japan. This shift to the centre-left reflects a wider trend around the world, notably with the victory of the Democrats in the United States last November, and more recently in Norway.

Mr. Hatoyama has been critical of the “unrestrained market fundamentalism and financial capitalism” that has led Japan to its deepest recession since the end of the Second World War. He has committed to supporting green technologies and has pledged to reduce Japan’s carbon emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. He has promised to create a stronger social safety net, by improving health care and employment provisions, and by raising the minimum wage. By putting people rather than businesses first, Hatoyama’s platform is similar with that of the PES. We support Prime Minister Hatoyama in implementing these reforms.

A PES delegation met with the Democratic Party of Japan and the Social Democratic Party in May 2008 and encountered deep interest in working on issues related to financial markets, climate change, and global governance.

Commenting on Japan’s new government, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: “This marks the dawn of a new era in Japan. As two of the largest economies in the world, Japan and the EU must collaborate on important issues, such as the regulation of global financial markets. Together, we can assure better job security and working conditions not only for Japanese and Europeans, but for people around the world. The PES looks forward to a fruitful cooperation with Prime Minister Hatoyama and his government.”

PES welcomes President Obama's decision to scrap anti-missile shield

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:47:35 +0200

The PES welcomes the statement by US President Barack Obama that he is scrapping plans for the antiballistic missile shield proposed by the Bush administration that would have seen interceptor rockets and a radar system installed in Poland and the Czech Republic, respectively.

The PES has previously voiced its concerns over the proposed missile shield, as it would disrupt regional and international balances of power and would undermine global efforts at non-proliferation. On 3rd May 2007, the PES released a statement maintaining that we should join all efforts to avoid a new arms race in Europe or tensions with other nuclear powers. The PES believes that dialogue, at the global, the EU, and multilateral levels, constitute the best strategy to assure peace, stability, and non-proliferation.

President Obama’s decision to cancel this contentious program is fully supported by the PES. It will encourage further dialogue and will reduce tension on the European continent.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: “We welcome President Obama’s announcement, as it illustrates a new era in American foreign policy. This fresh approach, based on dialogue and cooperation, is what the PES itself advocates.”

The PES President added “It is important to work together towards international disarmament, as President Obama has himself advocated last April in Prague, and this brings us a step closer to living in a nuclear-free world”.

"Reading the present to prepare the future: What should a statistical toolkit for policymakers be?"

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:54:31 +0200

Speech by PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
“Reading the present to prepare the future: What should a statistical toolkit
for policymakers be?”
Eurostat conference, 16th September 2009

Download the speech

PES President calls for three-pronged EU strategy for G20

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:32:36 +0200

In advance of an extraordinary European summit tomorrow, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen called for Europe’s heads of government to adopt a three-pronged strategy for the G20 summit in Pittsburgh.

“The EU should adopt a three-pronged strategy for the G20: first, an agreement to close all deficiencies and loopholes in financial regulation for Obama’s ‘global race to the top’; second, a global financial transaction tax; and third, a coordinated ‘entry strategy’ into the labour market to fight mass unemployment”.

On Europe’s G20 position on financial market reform, the PES President said:

“Finance executives are already going back to business as usual. If the EU doesn’t commit to closing all loopholes, we will end up being a source of regulatory arbitrage – the result will be a total loss of credibility at the G20.”

On the proposal for a global financial transaction tax, Rasmussen said a realistic proposal was already on the table for Europe’s heads of government to consider:

“Europe’s heads of government should agree on Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Peer Steinbrück’s workable proposal for a global financial transaction tax at the G20. It is right that the financial markets should pay their fair share of the bailouts and recovery efforts. Citizens should not have to foot the bill. The transaction tax is now needed to finance long-term investments in the real economy.”

Finally, the PES President attacked conservative European calls for an exit strategy at the G20.

“Reinfeldt and Merkel’s push for an exit strategy at the G20 is just too early and will undermine hopes of a strong recovery for growth and jobs. Only 0.1% GDP of the stimulus packages has been directly aimed at the labour market: what does that say about Europe’s commitment to fight growing mass unemployment? Europe’s millions of unemployed want a coordinated entry strategy into the labour market in the EU and at the G20. That’s the only way to assure the recovery”.

The PES insists on one of the three key EU posts

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:25:58 +0200

Commenting on the confirmation of José Manuel Barroso’s appointment as President of the European Commission by the European Parliament, PES President Poul Rasmussen said:

“As expected the European Parliament’s conservative majority, including eurosceptics, have voted Barroso back in.”

“Now the PES will focus on obtaining maximum influence in upcoming negotiations. The PES is still Europe’s second largest political family. For the coherence of Europe, we insist on having the post of High Representative, or if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, the European Council President. We have several excellent candidates for these positions. We will also push for high level PES representation in the European Commission.”

Rasmussen added: “The PES wants to focus on the matters of real concern for our citizens: on how to ensure we do not have 30 million unemployed in Europe by 2011. We will be a force for proposition of a better way forward for Europe and its people.”

Norwegians chose solidarity over discord

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:03:09 +0200

The PES congratulates Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and the Norwegian Labour Party for their victory in yesterday’s national elections.

“I am delighted by this result”, said PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “I am delighted to see that the Norwegian people saw through a fear-mongering campaign of the Right, and trusted Jens Stoltenberg again.”

“As in other contests in Europe, our social-democratic allies in Norway had to face conservative opponents who tried to put communities at loggerheads. This victory more than others is a victory of solidarity over discord, and hope over fear.”

“Many tend to forget that Norway was also affected by the economic crisis. Norwegian voters did not. Labour had, and still has, the best policies for stimulating the economy and protecting jobs, and they saw that clearly”, added Rasmussen.

Looking forward to a series of elections in Germany, Portugal and Greece, Rasmussen said “The result in Norway could be the first sign of the winds beginning to shift in Europe. Support is growing for Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Germany, George Papandreou’s PASOK looks set to overturn the conservative government in Greece, and there is still everything to fight for in Portugal for the Socialists of José Sócrates.”

Steinmeier’s proposed transaction tax allows fair burden-sharing

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:44:12 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today gave his full support to the SPD Chancellor-candidate’s proposal for the adoption of a global financial transaction tax at the G20.

“I strongly back Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s proposal for a global transaction tax. It is a realistic and workable proposal – the rate proposed is a modest 0.05%. German citizens are right to feel angry with finance executives earning six figure salaries once again. Taxpayers cannot pay the costs of this crisis twice: first with the bailouts, second with cuts to their public services. It’s a question of fairness: we need fair burden-sharing. This tax will help us finance the long-term investments we need for new green growth and jobs.”

Mr Rasmussen added: “The CDU pretends to support reform, but they are not proposing the fundamental changes we need in the financial system. Germany needs a new SPD government for radical, progressive reforms”.

“The SPD’s Chancellor-candidate is right: we cannot go back to business as usual.”

Rasmussen and Gilmore canvass for Lisbon Treaty in Dublin

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:05:51 +0200

Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore, and President of the Party of European Socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen have canvassed the streets of Dublin for the Lisbon Treaty. They were joined by Joe Costello TD, Director of the Labour Party Lisbon Campaign; Ruairi Quinn, Labour Party MP; Cllr Emer Costello; Neassa Childers and Proinsias de Rossa, both Labour Party MEPs. Together with many volunteers, they distributed flyers and chatted with Dubliners.

Rasmussen said that "the economic crisis did not happen because Irish workers are lazy. I understand that the voters are angry with their governement, but they should not make the mistake to vote ‘no’ to the referendum. Ireland needs its neighbours to fight the crisis, because together, we are stronger. The only answer is a massive 'yes' on 2nd of October".

Eamon Gilmore stated that “by voting ‘no’, Ireland would pull back from Europe, and this would stop investments and job creation. We need this Treaty to guarantee workers’ rights. Europe is about solidarity: voting ‘yes’ will help our country to get out of the crisis.”

Lisbon treaty canvassing PNRasmussen & E.Gilmore from PES_Party of European Socialists on Vimeo.

"Common sense or a step too far? Private Equity, Hedge Funds and the EU"

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:57:20 +0200

Speech by PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
"Common sense or a step too far? Private Equity, Hedge Funds and the EU"
AIFM Directive
Policy Exchange, Friday 11th September 2009
Hosted by the City of London Corporation

Download the speech

PES president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen on the upcoming PES activists Forum 09

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:07:13 +0200

"From September 11 to 13 the PES will organize together with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the Irish Labour Party the PES activists Forum 09 in Dublin. The Forum will mark the opening of a debate within our family on the renewal of social democracy in Europe and provide a platform for discussion of key topics on the European agenda. Some 300 PES activists from all over Europe will take part."

"I can’t stress enough how important PES activists are for a progressive future. PES activists are a foundation on which we must build a stronger European party. We must work closer together than we ever have done before among social democratic and socialist parties across Europe. I believe that for this very reason it is of utmost importance to involve our activists in the discussion of PES renewal."

Read the full letter

Socialists step up engagement for new global deal

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:32:55 +0200

European Socialists are stepping up their engagement with US and Japanese Democrats – and with other progressive political parties, trade unions and NGOs outside Europe – by giving a big boost to the Global Progressive Forum.

Actions taken to boost the Global Progressive Forum, agreed yesterday at a joint meeting of the Presidency of the PES and the Bureau of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, include

• Appointment of Javier Moreno, former MEP and Chair of PSOE Abroad (the Spanish Socialist party’s organization for Spaniards living abroad), as the GPF’s first Secretary General
• Appointment of PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Parliamentary Group President Martin Schulz as co-Chairs of the GPF
• Agreement to mobilize for the creation of a campaign ‘Europeans for Financial Reform’ to work alongside the campaigning coalition ‘Americans for Financial Reform’ http://ourfinancialsecurity.org/ with a first announcement on 21 September.

Javier Moreno commented “Europe may be in conservative hands today, but there is a progressive tide sweeping the US, Australia, Japan and Latin America. We European socialists will engage even more actively in building progressive alliances and making better global politics. The victory of the Japanese Democrats, just a few months after the inauguration of a Democrat President in the US, gives us the best opportunity for many years for a New Global Deal. We don’t want to miss that opportunity.”

The Global Progressive Forum launched its call for a New Global Deal in April at a conference in the European Parliament attended by other 2,000 people that was opened by Bill Clinton and included Pascal Lamy, Howard Dean, António Guterres, Juan Somavia, Salima Ghezali, Susan George, Taslima Nasreen, Aminata Traore and Chico Whitaker amongst others. See http://www.globalprogressiveforum.org/news-and-press/news-gpf-brussels-2009

The Global Progressive Forum is supported by the PES, the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies as well as the Socialist International.

London Mayor out of touch on financial reform

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:59:21 +0200

Commenting on the Mayor of London’s visit to Brussels to lobby Commissioner McCreevy and MEPs against regulation of hedge funds and private equity, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Boris Johnson is out of touch with reality if he thinks he can water down this legislation. It is the result of an overwhelming consensus between conservatives, liberals and socialists in the European Parliament and has strong support from many European Governments.”

Rasmussen added “Let’s not forget that this draft directive is the bare minimum, and full of holes. Instead of getting Johnson to lobby on their behalf the City of London should be very satisfied they have escaped so lightly. What’s worse, Johnson has got his facts wrong. He says hedge funds and private equity played no role in the financial crisis, but the point is to avoid future crises. In any case hedge funds and private equity did play a major role in the explosion of excessive debt which was at the heart of the crisis. Frankly, I do not understand why Mayor Johnson thinks that some modest and long-overdue reforms will damage the City of London, I have always been told that the City of London was highly competitive and very robust.”

Read more on the draft directive

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98 - 1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org

Letter of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen on the death of Edward Kennedy, Member of the US Senate from 1962-2009

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:24:46 +0200

"Edward Kennedy was one of the United States’ leading champions on the causes closest to the hearts of progressives worldwide with a career of vision, enthusiasm and determination wholeheartedly devoted to civil rights, minimum wages, healthcare, child care and immigration.

In the memory of Edward Kennedy, the Party of European Socialists would like to give all its support to all those who struggle to defend the rights of the most vulnerable and unprotected in our societies, those in need."

Read the full letter

PES Congress Prague, 7-8 December

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:29:36 +0200

PES Congress 2009 will take place on 7-8 December, in Prague, Czech Republic.

The Congress is a major gathering of European socialist and social-democrats. It brings together around 700 delegates from the PES member parties and up to 2,000 participants from member parties and member organizations. The Congress meets twice during each parliamentary term of the European Parliament (five years) and decides on the political orientation of the PES.

Following the success of the PES Councils in 2007 and 2008 and the Congress in 2006, where PES activists were a lively presence that marked a new way of integrating grassroots into European politics, activists are invited to the PES Congress. They are welcome to attend the plenary sessions, visit the stands and participate on the fringe meetings.

Further information on the PES Congress in Prague will be provided after the Summer break.

Albania must have a progressive coalition

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:37:19 +0200

The Legislative elections held in Albania last Sunday 28 June 2009 were extremely important for the country’s future.

The PES regrets that incidents occurred during the voting and the counting process. Both main parties traded accusations blaming the counterpart for attempting to interfere with the counting of votes to influence the final outcome. International observers noted that while the election showed improvements compared to previous ballots, a number of violations persisted. The EU called on Albania to uphold higher standards in future elections. Despite considerable improvements, elections did not entirely fulfil EU requirements.

Although counting is still ongoing and final figures are not available as yet, the Socialist Party led by Tirana Mayor Edi Rama has 66 MPs, Democrats of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha 70, while the Socialist Integration coalition of former Prime Minister Ilir Meta, a potential partner for the Socialists, has four seats. The Democratic Party leads over its main left-wing rivals by four seats but such advantage cannot secure the opportunity to form the government.

PES Secretary General, Philip Cordery said “Albania should be governed by a progressive coalition in the people’s interest. To overcome the economic crisis, provide political stability and an efficient electoral system, and thus accelerate EU accession, the PES encourages strongly a coalition between the SP and LSI. Albanian people have shown their desire for, and commitment to, a better life and a fast EU accession that only progressives can provide”.

PES Secretary General on latest arrest of DTP leaders

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:57:15 +0200

Philip Cordery, Secretary General of the Party of European Socialists, declared that the latest arrests against Democratic Society Party (DTP) representatives in Turkey are worrying. The PES Secretary General strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of more than 240 leaders of the DTP.

A further alarming sign is represented by the fact that apprehensions took place following the victory of DTP in 98 municipalities, without making any kind of alliance with other parties and almost doubling its last score of 56 municipalities in the previous local elections. PES Secretary General also congratulated the nomination of 14 women as mayors within the DTP. It is a great achievement and an important step toward gender equality.

The Party of European Socialists supports the DTP and denounces these unacceptable detentions calling for an immediate release of the arrested activists. The DTP is a member of the PES and of the Socialist International.

Philip Cordery also noted that such actions gave a rather negative image of the ruling party, the AKP, in its pledge for a more democratic regime and said that “a peaceful solution is necessary for Turkey to truly show its genuine commitment to the EU accession process”.

The repression against DTP leaders and activists has to be severely pointed out by the European Union as it is a strong violation of human, civil and political rights.

A tribute to Karel Van Miert

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:34:26 +0200

With the unexpected death of Karel Van Miert (17 January 1942 - 22 June 2009) the Party of European Socialists has lost one of its most prominent European politicians.

From 1978 until 1988, Karel Van Miert was the first Chairman of the SP.A in Belgium. Van Miert had a great passion for European politics, becoming a member of the European Parliament in 1979 before going on to become European Commissioner in 1989. In 1993 Van Miert became European Commissioner for Competition Policy, in which he worked for a level playing field based on fairness. His tireless work would result in him being labelled by the media as “the most powerful man in Europe”. Van Miert remained in this position until 1999.

Commenting on his sad departure, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said: “Karel Van Miert will be remembered as a great socialist politician who campaigned relentlessly to promote social democratic values in Belgium and in Europe. He will be sadly missed by the PES.”

No to parliament vote on Barroso in July

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:59:49 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Socialist Group leader Martin Schulz today issued a joint statement on the decision of the Council regarding the President of the Commission. The statement reads

“We understand that the Council are asking the European Parliament to vote on 15 July. As we have said before, our answer is no. We will not bend to pressure from certain Council members for a hasty vote. We agreed with our Prime Ministers and Party Leaders yesterday that the European Parliament needs time for a full consultation. We will plan intensive hearings once the Parliament is properly constituted.”

“We need a thorough debate on the programme and policies of the next Commission, concrete proposals not spin. We know Mr Barroso and our experience is not positive. His record on managing the crisis, on social protection, on providing leadership, is poor but he tries to impress to talking it up. We Socialists know what we want for Europe, and will judge Barroso and his programme on that basis.”

“Our priorities are clear, and we want to hear what Mr Barroso has to say about them. What we want from the European Commission is a new recovery plan for jobs and green growth, a European Employment Pact to safeguard jobs and strengthen workers rights including a social clause, a new Women’s Rights Charter, effective regulation of and supervision of financial markets, a new solidarity between member states and a European commitment for a global new deal.”

“It’s about the future of Europe, not lip service and spin.”

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

Iranian presidential elections: people deserve to be heard and have their rights respected

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:14:02 +0200

The Party of European Socialists expressed its concern about the legitimacy of the re-election in Iran of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, contested by rival Mir Hossein Mousavi and other moderate candidates. With 84% turnout, the Iranians showed a great commitment to the future of their country and huge interest in the political and diplomatic developments with the rest of the world.

The PES regrets and deplores the violence during the street protests. It is deeply alarming that clashes between the police and anti-Ahmadinejad protesters continued on Sunday and Monday, with seven civilians killed, radio and communications system closed down and parts of the city sealed off by the authorities. The PES demands the immediate release of politicians arrested: Mohsen Mirdamadi, general Secretary of the Front for participation; Réza Khatami, former vice-president of the Parliament, Mostapha Tajzadeh, vice-minister of Intérior; Mohsen Aminzadeh, vice-minister for Foreign Affairs; and Abdullah Ramanzanzadeh spokesperson of the Mohammad Khatami government as many other supporters of reform.

The demonstrations illustrate the widespread discontent of many Iranian citizens at the conduct of the election. The decision of the Guardian Council to recount disputed votes from Friday's presidential poll, must guarantee Iranian voters that their claims will be heard.

The authorities must increase freedom, democracy and fundamental rights in Iran, especially for women.

The PES calls for negotiations on the nuclear issue, and hopes that Iran will show a strong commitment to co-operate within the multilateral framework to which the EU and the US are parties in the near future. President Obama along with the EU showed a strong willingness to resume talks with Iran; it is now in Iran’s hands to make a move. The PES believes that this will benefit the Iranian people and help stabilize the region.

The PES expresses its support to and solidarity with the Iranian people and those who are actively engaged in favour of more democratic reforms in their country.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “We hope that the outcome of these elections will not isolate Iran even further. Iranian people deserve to be heard and have their collective decision respected. The time has come for Iran to resolve its nuclear crisis by showing its commitment to find a solution.”

Lebanon: a victory for democracy

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:38:34 +0200

The Party of the European Socialists warmly congratulates the Lebanese people for the successful legislative elections last Sunday, June 7th. It will enable Lebanon to strengthen its democratic institutions, the independence and sovereignty of the country, and its security and stability.

The PES welcomes the fact that the polls were held under international supervision with observers at the polling stations. International and local observers stated that Lebanon's general election appeared free of any flagrant violations despite some organizational problems and isolated security incidents. The PES can only praise the maturity and behaviour of its citizens. We welcome President Sleiman’s support of all candidates and his sole concern for strengthening democracy.

As for the results, the victory of the 14 March coalition is a real achievement. It shows the determination of the people to strengthen the country’s democracy and independence. The PES congratulates the 14 March coalition for wining 71 seats in the 128-member body, one more than four years ago. Another success is 54 % turnout.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES President, said “I personally hope that the outcome of these elections will give a strong boost to the political, social and economic development of Lebanon. The Lebanese people have spoken, now everyone must respect their vote and respect their choice.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen added; “The future is more than ever in the hands of the Lebanese people, through national dialogue. They must never give up, even if there are difficult moments and much to do. Europe must continue to make its contribution to good neighbourhood relations, stability in the region and economic development.”

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

Steinmeier adds to PES pressure for new recovery effort

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:20:20 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen strongly welcomed Franz-Walter Steinmeier’s calls for more coordinated stimulus spending in the Eurozone. Rasmussen also backed Steinmeier’s proposal for more support for eastern European economies at risk.

“Franz-Walter Steinmeier’s words are very significant” said Rasmussen. “More coordinated stimulus spending in the Eurozone would have a huge impact. Europe needs a new and stronger recovery plan and a push from the Eurozone could be the trigger. We also need new actions in solidarity with, and support of, countries that don’t have the means to get out of the crisis on their own.”

Last week Gordon Brown called for a strengthened European growth strategy and more help for eastern European economies facing special difficulties. Writing today in the British newspaper The Guardian, Spanish Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero acknowledges that “there is still much to be done” in fighting the crisis and backs Brown’s proposal to “boost the mobilisation of the European Investment Bank loan facilities.”

Earlier in May Zapatero announced a fresh Spanish investment in jobs and education.

Rasmussen said “There is a growing demand from PES member parties for Europe to do more to combat the crisis.”

For more on Gordon Brown click here
For more on the Spanish investment programme click here

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

Commission moves around social fund while unemployment rockets

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:27:19 +0200

Commenting on the Employment Plan published by the European Commission, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Europe needs more than a shared commitment for employment – it needs much stronger action right now.”

“If your house is on fire it is no good trying to put out the flames with a glass of water. The Commission’s proposals might be appropriate if the crisis was less deep, but the Commission doesn’t seem to realize the size of the problem we are facing.”

“Shifting around the European Social Fund while unemployment rockets to 27 million unemployed next year is not the answer. Micro-credit is unlikely to have macro results in a hurry. Raising awareness of job mobility is not going to help when there aren’t enough jobs anywhere. This is a weak conservative answer to the deepest social crisis for decades.”

“We need a new and stronger recovery plan. We need stronger policies for job creation, on the national and European level. We need stronger financial instruments, on national and European level, to create jobs. We need more and better proposals to safeguard jobs and more coordinated restructuring processes. We need a stronger emphasis on tackling the poverty and ill-health that will be created by the crisis.”

Last Saturday of election campaign - PES European Day of Action - People first: A new direction for Europe

admin — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:37:35 +0200

On the last Saturday of the European election campaign PES member parties across Europe will be campaigning on the same issue: People First – A new Direction for Europe.

The theme, also the title of the PES manifesto for the European elections, emphasizes the parties shared commitment to take Europe in a new direction. he PES’ top demand is for a new recovery plan to create jobs and growth in Europe, in contrast to the conservatives who say Europe has already done enough!

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Unemployment will reach 27 million next year. Conservatives like Sarkozy and Merkel say that Europe has done enough, but we social democrats and socialists will never sit back and accept such a huge rise in unemployment. There is already too much inequality and poverty across Europe without adding more misery. Europe can do more and it must do more. If we can form a new majority in the European Parliament then Europe will be forced to do more.”

Among the events where a “New Direction for Europe” will be a theme are

* Workshops and debates on the PES manifesto at the Europavox music festival in Clermont-Ferrand, France
* ‘People’s paella’ and discussion and campaigning on the PES manifesto in Madrid, Spain with PES activists from several European countries
* Campaign rally in Pardubicky, Czech Republic with candidate Jaroslav Vomacka
* Conference in Lefkosia, Cyprus presenting the PES manifesto
* In Estonia the Social Democrats are touring with their red campaign bus
* Street campaigning in many towns and cities including:

Lille, France;
Berlin, Bonn, Cologne, Darmstadt, Gottingen and Hamburg, Germany;
Wolsztyn, Poland
Prahova County and Craiova, Romania;
Valletta, Malta;
Charleroi, Belgium;
Linköping, Sweden;
Soller, Majorca, Spain

* Discussions in several cities of Lithuania to promote the PES
manifesto

For a full list click here.

This is the fifth European Day of Action by the PES and its member parties.
No other European party has put on a similar common campaigning effort. For details of some of the previous days of action see the reports from the European Days of Action on:

- Gender equality
- New Social Europe
- Climate change
- Fighting the economic crisis

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

12 terrible candidates

admin — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:33:52 +0200

The Party of European Socialists today publishes ‘Twelve Terrible Candidates’ – a selection of conservative, liberal and far-right candidates that risk being elected to the European Parliament despite variously denying the holocaust, thinking that well paid white men are an oppressed minority, denying climate change, or holding other offensive or absurd views. Some don’t even want the European Union to help tackle unemployment! Others are standing for election while having no intention of taking their seat.

The PES makes no claim that these are the worst candidates – no doubt there are others even less in touch with reality.

The PES considers it important that voters have the chance to assess not only the candidates and parties that they can vote for, but also the European allies of their national candidates and parties. A vote for a candidate in one country boosts the influence of the whole group that the candidate will join.

The opposition candidates presented will contribute nothing positive to the European Parliament – either because they won’t be there, won’t speak or if they do speak promote some completely offensive or otherwise totally unconstructive view.

A full list of our own candidates is available on our website; to access it, click here.

The PES manifesto, adopted by all member parties a full six months before the elections, is available in over 20 languages as well as in talking versions in 9 languages.

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

Brown opens debate on new recovery plan

admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:28:53 +0200

Welcoming Gordon Brown’s call for a strengthened European growth strategy and more help for eastern European economies facing special difficulties, published today in the Financial Times, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Gordon Brown has opened up an enormously important debate in the European Council and just ahead of the European elections. Sarkozy and Merkel must now respond. They can’t seriously continue to pretend that Europe has done enough.”

“Europe needs a new recovery plan including new help for those economies facing special difficulties. There must be solidarity for countries without sufficient means to get out of the crisis on their own. European conservatives may have fought off Brown and Obama’s calls for a new recovery effort at the G20, but they did agree to take more action if it was necessary. With unemployment now set to hit 27 million next year we have at least 27 million reasons why more action is needed.”

“By committing himself to working for a more focused Europe-wide strategy for growth ahead of the June Council, Gordon Brown is reminding his fellow leaders what ought to be top of the agenda at the Summit in June. While there are so many unemployed this must be Europe’s number one priority. Nothing else should take centre stage.”

Two weeks ago Spanish Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced a new jobs stimulus which Rasmussen said showed the way for Europe.

“It is social democrats and socialists who are leading the efforts to create a strong European and international recovery while conservatives are just waiting and hoping for the best” Rasmussen said today.

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

Commission must resist pressure to weaken financial supervision proposals

admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:14:03 +0200

Commenting on the European Commission’s communication on financial supervision released today, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said:

“The de Larosière recommendations are pragmatic but a vital step forward to restore trust in the financial system.”

“The European Commission is thankfully broadly supporting the de Larosière recommendations.”

“The real test will come when the European Commission presents its detailed proposals. The European Commission must continue to remain faithful to de Larosière’s recommendations. They must resist the inevitable pressure from member states to water them down.”

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

May 23 - PES European Day of Action on need for New Recovery Plan

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 10:42:01 +0200

While the US is investing 5.9% of GDP in new jobs and growth and China 8%, the EU is adding unemployment benefit to its inadequate 1% recovery plan to make it look bigger! That's the message from PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen tomorrow as socialists and social democrats across Europe campaign on the theme of ‘re-launching the economy'.

"Socialist Prime Ministers Zapatero and Brown are making real investments in growth" said Rasmussen "but conservatives like Merkel and Sarkozy are stopping Europe from tackling unemployment in an effective way. This recession is not just a statistic or a graph, it means millions of people without work, without enough income, without a secure future. Europe urgently needs a new, stronger, bolder Recovery Plan. Socialists and Social Democrats across Europe will be campaigning tomorrow on the need for a new recovery effort."

This is the PES' fourth day of action following European campaigning days on May 16th on climate change, May 9th on the theme ‘New Social Europe - giving people a fairer deal', and on International Women's Day on March 8th.

Among the activities planned for this Saturday are:

Young Austrian social democrats will be street campaigning at the Viktor Adler Markt in Vienna on the difference between the social democratic and conservative approaches to the crisis
The Czech Social Democratic Party will organize a big campaign rally in Karlovarsky where one of the themes will be the economic crisis
Cypriot Social Democrats EDEK will organise a campaign rally in Lefkosia and a debate in Pafos to present their views on the financial and economic crisis
In Valletta, the Maltese Labour Party youth will do street campaigning on the crisis as will PES activists in Craiova, Romania, Dublin and Sweden
The French Socialists will: welcome social democrats from Berlin-Mitte for street campaigning in Paris on fighting the crisis, organize a debate in Toulouse on how to beat the crisis, and hold a meeting in Dirtal, Maine et Loire, with Michel Rocard on Europe and the crisis
German Social Democrats and PES activists will do street campaigning on the crisis in Berlin, Berlin-Spandau, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Gottingen and Darmstadt
Spanish Socialists PSOE will have a full weekend of actions across the country to launch their electoral campaign with a focus on relaunching the economy
The UK Labour Party will welcome PES activists and Young Socialists from all over Europe to campaign together in London and the South East on the economy

You can follow all events on Saturday 23 May through the live blogging and twittering on the PES campaign website.

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

PES Ministers say: no bailing out of aid commitments

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:17:55 +0200

PES Development Ministers and Opposition Spokespersons, meeting in Brussels ahead of the EU Development Ministers Council, warned EU member states not to use tightening national budgets as a reason to get out of their commitment to increase development aid.

EU member states agreed in 2005 to increase development aid to 0.56% of GNI by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015. The 0.7% target was agreed at the UN General Assembly as long ago as 1970!

At a meeting chaired by German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, the socialist and social democratic Ministers declared that “governments must resist the temptation not to deliver their aid commitments.”

They also agreed that however bad the recession hits the EU and other developed countries “the world’s poorest countries, already reeling from the shock of last year’s fuel and food crisis are at even greater risk.”

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The world’s poorest people should not be made to suffer because of budget problems in some of the world’s richest countries. I fully understand that governments are feeling the pinch on their budgets, but that is no reason to escape their aid commitments. Europe needs to do much more to tackle the crisis, both at home and abroad.”

The International Labour Organisation says that if the situation continues to deteriorate some 200 million workers, mostly in developing economies, could be pushed into extreme poverty.

The worst overseas development aid donors among the EU 15, and the furthest from meeting EU targets for aid, are two conservative governments - Italy and Greece. According to CONCORD, the European confederation of development NGOs, Italy, Ireland and Estonia have all announced cuts to their 2009 aid budgets, and Latvia has suspended 100% of its development activities.

Taking part in the meeting were Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; Soraya Rodríguez, Secretary of State of Cooperation, Spain; Laszlo Varkoniy, Secretary of State of International Development, Hungary; Gareth Thomas, Minister of State at the Department for International Development, Great Britain; Kent Harstedt MP, Spokesperson on Development, SAP Sweden.

Read the ministers' declaration

List of participants

Commission should investigate Italy-Libya agreement

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:43:58 +0200

Commenting on the controversy in Italy over the return of migrants at sea to Libya, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "Italy is breeching international law and quite possibly EU policy. Berlusconi is wrong to flout international law and will have to revise his Government's policies."

He added "The silence form the European Commission is deafening, yet speaks volumes. The problem is that the Commission President does not dare upset any member state, let alone a large one like Italy, during his campaign for a second term as President."

"It is disreputable for the Commission to overlook this serious humanitarian issue for the sake of one man's job."

"At the very least the European Commission should announce an investigation into whether the Italy-Libya bilateral agreement, and Italy's actions in returning migrants at sea, is consistent with EU policy. The Commission should also be putting respect for human rights in the implementation of EU asylum policy firmly on the agenda of the Council."

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

PES supports ETUC 'Fight the crisis: put the people first' demonstration

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:27:39 +0200

The Party of European Socialists is backing the European Trade Union Confederation campaign and demonstration in Brussels tomorrow – 15 May - ‘Fight the crisis: put the people first.’

There will be a large continent of socialist party members and PES activists from Belgium, France and elsewhere on the demonstration including PES Secretary General Philip Cordery, PS Leader Elio Di Rupo, sp.a leader Caroline Gennez and head of list Kathleen Van Brempt, French PS heads of list Harlem Désir and Gilles Pargneaux joining the thousands of trade unionists marching through the centre of Brussels from Gare du Nord to Gare du Midi.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, himself a trade unionist who worked for many years for the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, said “I have met many workers from different countries in recent weeks and months and I fully understand their fear and anger. Workers and their families are paying the price for a crisis they did not create. The crisis comes on top of many years of undermining trade unions and workers rights in the name of competitiveness. Now we can see that while working families struggled to make a decent living others were indulging in obscene greed.”

“I fully support the European Trade Union Confederation’s demands for a New Social Deal in Europe. Many of their demands such as an expanded recovery programme, effective regulation of financial markets and equal pay for posted workers are already reflected in the Party of European Socialists’ manifesto.”

“The current conservative European Commission has consistently refused to sort out the confusion about workers rights and collective agreements uncertainty mess created by recent European Court of Justice judgements. The current conservative Commission did nothing to ensure a positive outcome from the recent Employment Summit. The conservative Commission is not pressing for new investments to safeguard jobs and create new employment. That’s why we need a new progressive European Commission. That’s why we need a stronger PES in the European Parliament after 7 June elections. That’s why an Employment Pact putting workers rights and social justice before the single market is crucial. That’s why the PES has a new strong recovery plan and an Employment Pact are among the steps the PES demands to be implemented within the first 100 hundred days of the new Parliament.”

On International Workers Day – 1 May – PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen published an open letter to trade unions.

On Saturday 9 May - Europe Day - the PES organized a European day of Action where member parties from all over Europe campaigned on the same issue ‘giving people a fairer deal’ and PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen published a blogpost – also printed in Italian newspaper l’Unità - calling for social justice to be put back at the heart of European politics.

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

May 16 – PES European Day of Action on Climate change

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:46:02 +0200

The Party of European Socialists member parties and activists are campaigning on climate change this Saturday 16 May in at least 15 countries from Finland to Malta and from Porto to Ostend.

This is the PES’ third day of action following European campaigning days on Europe Day May 9th on the theme ‘New Social Europe – giving people a fairer deal’ and on International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Among the activities planned for this Action Day are:

• Finnish social democrat meeting in Helsinki ‘People’s Europe’ with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and SDP leader Jutta Urpilainen discussing how to make Europe’s economy more sustainable

• In Belgium Flemish socialists from Sp.a will be giving out paper windmills in Stationsplein, Ostend with head of list Kathleen Van Brempt and head of list for the regional elections John Crombez

• Portuguese MEP Elisa Ferreira is opening her environmentally-friendly campaign headquarters in Porto

• Cypriot social democrats EDEK are organizing street campaigning in Nicosia, Lemesos, Larnaka and Paphos to promote PES policies on climate change

• German SPD is street leafleting on climate change in Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden and Bonn

• Spanish socialists PSOE are doing a bike tour in Palma, Mallorca, demonstrating a solar cooker in Santander, and holding a debate on sustainable Europe in Barcelona

• In Budapest MEP Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, is promoting safe disposal of environmentally harmful waste (eg batteries)

• In Luxembourg German SPD MEP Jo Leinen will talk about climate change and smart green growth at a rally of social democrats and socialists from five municipalities in four countries: Luxembourg, Germany, France and Belgium

Other events will take place in Talinn (Estonia), Paris and Le Mans (France), several cities in Lithuania, Valletta (Malta), Alba Iulia (Romania) and Norrkoping (Sweden).

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Today the dark clouds of recession and climate change hang heavy over Europe, threatening both our economic present and future. Europe is not doing enough to tackle climate change or to tackle unemployment. Yet making the investments to switch to renewable energy and energy efficiency would create the new jobs that could help lift us out of the crisis. Europe needs to be bolder. We need ambitious projects and decisive action to invest in ‘green growth’.”

You can follow all events on Saturday 16 May through the live blogging and twittering on the PES campaign website.

For a full list of events, and contact details of organizers, download the list here

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

Zapatero shows the way for new and strong recovery plan

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:01:42 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today praised Spanish Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for his fresh investments in jobs, education and training and a sustainable economy.

Rasmussen said “Zapatero is showing the way for Europe. This is the kind of smart and forward-looking investment that should be made right across Europe if we are to avoid 27 million unemployed next year in the European Union.”

“The PES has been calling for a new and strong recovery plan for Europe, and Zapatero is doing it in Spain.”

Rasmussen added “I cannot believe that Aznar is blaming the crisis on excessive public spending. It is absolutely ridiculous.”

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

The 15 most misleading EPP manifesto claims

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:08:58 +0200

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

Employment Summit - No serious action to safeguard or create jobs

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:46:58 +0200

Commenting on the outcome of the Employment non-Summit PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "The summit failed to agree any serious action to safeguard existing jobs or create new jobs. Instead the message from this non-summit is that it is working people who will pay the price for this recession. The summit recommends more labour market flexibility, but there already too many people in precarious employment. The summit recommends a reduction in non-wage labour costs but what this means in reality is less pension contributions or lower health insurance".

Mr Topolanek says he wants to create jobs but he is not willing to invest the resources needed to create them. He says creating debt is no solution, but paying for millions of people to remain unemployed creates even higher debt - and without any return in tax revenues. We believe that reducing non-wage labour costs is a subsidy for business that does not necessarily create new jobs".

"The summit concluded that improving the business and investment environment is the way to create new jobs, but that just means the old neo-liberal recipe of deregulation and squeezing employees rights. It means Governments do very little apart from making it easier to exploit people who are desperate for a job".

"Europe needs a new stimulus and one that is focused on creating new jobs. It is a tragedy that this conservative-dominated European Union is so unwilling to do enough to fight the crisis".

he Party of European Socialists has proposed that in the first hundred days following the European elections, seven steps are taken to fight the recession and mass unemployment including a new, strong recovery plan for Europe and a European Employment Pact to safeguard employment, create new and better jobs, and strengthen workers' rights, working conditions and equal pay.

Responding to media reports that Topolanek said that anyone could find a new job, Rasmussen said "Next year there will be 27 million people out of work in Europe. Is it possible that the President of the European Council really thinks that it is the unemployed only have themselves to blame? I am shocked that he could suggest such a thing".

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

Europe Day – PES Day of Action for ‘Giving People a fairer deal’

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:28:09 +0200

The Party of European Socialists is marking Europe Day - May 9th - with a European election ‘Day of Action' involving its member parties campaigning on the same issue across Europe.

PES member parties from at least 15 EU member states are organizing events and activities on the same day - May 9th - on the theme ‘A New Social Europe - giving people a fairer deal'.

This is the PES' second day of action following an enthusiastically supported PES mobilization of its member parties for International Women's Day on March 8th.

On Europe Day PES parties will be out campaigning for their manifesto commitments to tackle widening inequalities in European societies.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen explained "We social democrats are deeply concerned by the widening gap between rich and poor in Europe, and the dangers of today's recession creating deep and permanent divides within our societies. We feel very strongly that Europe must give people a fairer deal. That is why our manifesto for the European elections makes no less than 12 concrete proposals for a New Social Europe including decent minimum wages in all EU countries, protecting public services, strengthening rights to collective bargaining, and fair tax policies to guarantee the financing of our welfare states. In contrast European conservatives want to lower taxes across Europe making it increasing hard to finance public services. The European conservatives' manifesto describes European health and environmental standards as a cost, and social security as an obstacle to economic development - we disagree".

"Europe Day is of symbolic importance, and the fact that we have chosen that day to campaign for a fairer deal for people sends an important political message. It is not possible to celebrate the achievements of the European Union, which are considerable, without acknowledging the new direction which Europe needs. In this European election year it is vital to highlight the choices facing us. Europe has achieved a lot, but in the last five years of conservative domination social justice has been sorely neglected".

PES European Day of Action events will take place in Austria (Linz), Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp, West Flanders, Liege and Limburg), Bulgaria, France (Angers, Haute Garonne, Roquefort les Pins and Sarre), Estonia, Germany (Berlin, Bonn, Darmstadt and Spandau), Greece (Athens), Hungary (Pecs), Ireland (Dublin), Lithuania, Malta (Valletta, Sliema and Paolo), Romania (Bucharest), Spain (Barcelona, Madrid and Mallorca), Sweden and UK (London).

Among the activities planned are:

a rally in Athens with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, George Papandreou and Martine Aubry
an information tent near the European Parliament run by Flemish socialist party sp.a
leafleting at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
PES Women President Zita Gurmai addressing a meeting of over 1,000 Hungarian women in the city of Pecs
a street performance in Darmstadt (near Frankfurt) ‘auction of workforce: buy us for low wages'

on Sunday 10 May PES activists from Mulhouse (France) and SPD members from Emmendingen will meet on the Rhine bridge at Sasbach/Marckolsheim with French and German European election candidates (click here to download the list of activities).

You can follow all events on Saturday 9 May through the live blogging and twittering on the PES campaign website.

For a full list of events, and contact details of organizers, contact:

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

PES slams EU non-summit on jobs

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:07:13 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen slammed the EU for abandoning its ‘Jobs Summit’ - due tomorrow and replaced by a low profile ‘troika’ with the social partners - despite this week’s forecast that unemployment will reach almost 27 million next year.

Rasmussen said “More than one in ten European workers will be paid to do nothing next year, but still there are no proposals from the European Commission or the Presidency to do any more to tackle unemployment. The message from this non-summit is clear: Europeans will just have to accept that 27 million of us will not have a job and not have a proper income. But the PES has another message for Europeans: we will never accept millions unemployed.”

“The lack of credit is forcing viable companies to lay off staff. The recession is destroying jobs that would otherwise be perfectly sustainable. The crisis is undermining Europe’s long-term future because it is wasting the talents of skilled people in jobs that are needed in the long run. European employment is in freefall and there is no pilot in Europe’s cockpit. The Czech Presidency has collapsed and the European Commission is under orders from its conservative leaders not to do anything else.”

“The PES has presented time after time its plan to create new jobs but the answer from the EU’s conservative leaders is always the same. We put forward our first plan at the end of November and a revised plan in March but we are told that Europe had done enough.”

“Europe needs a new stimulus to create jobs, fresh actions to safeguard jobs that should have a long-term future, more support for the unemployed and new initiatives to assist those at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Europe should take a lead in coordinating national policies to tackle the crisis and strengthening European measures such as by speeding up the use of structural funds and enhancing EIB support for small businesses.”

“I am so angry that European conservatives have spent more time discussing who will be President of the European Commission and the European Parliament than discussing what can be done to bring down unemployment across Europe. While Obama was elected on a message of hope, Barroso’s plotting to be reappointed while employment collapses sends a message of fatalism and complacency.”

For the PES recovery plan adopted last November click here

For the updated PES recovery plan adopted in March click here

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

Twenty six and a half million reasons for a new recovery plan

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:29:42 +0200

With the forecast for economic growth for the European Union plunging to -4%, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said it was time for a new recovery plan for Europe.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Europe needs a new recovery plan and it needs it now. What European leaders agreed to do at their summit in December is not enough for the scale of recession we are now seeing.”

“I said back in November that Europe’s response to the crisis was inadequate, and that was when the Commission was predicting zero growth and a risk of contraction in 2009. Now the European Commission say that the economy is shrinking by 4%, and there will be 11% unemployment. That’s over 26.5 million people out of work next year in the European Union.”

“I fear that the Commission is once again being too optimistic. But 26.5 million unemployed is a terrible prospect, and I suspect it will be more. That’s at least 26.5 million good reasons for the European Commission to propose fresh investments in growth to the EU Council in June.”

“Faced with no less than 26.5 million unemployed next year Europe’s conservative leaders cannot claim that Europe has already done enough.”

“At the G20 European leaders promised the world that they would deliver the scale of sustained fiscal effort necessary to restore growth. They now need to do it.”

At their meeting in Toulouse on 24 April, heads of list for the European elections from PES member parties demanded that in the first hundred days following the European elections in June seven steps are taken to fight the recession and mass unemployment including a new, strong recovery plan for Europe.

In a letter to the trade union movement on May 1st – International Workers day – PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said he understood the anger of shipbuilders and railway workers who demonstrated outside the EPP Congress in Warsaw last week. The previous week Poul Nyrup Rasmussen met workers from Airbus and Molex.

Consult the PES plan for the 1st 100 hundred days after the European elections

For the May 1st letter to the trade unions click here

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

Draft directive has more holes than Swiss cheese

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:29:16 +0200

Commenting on the draft Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “This directive has more holes than a Swiss cheese.”

Rasmussen said “Commission President Barroso has broken his promise to the European Parliament to bring forward regulation of hedge funds and private equity. What we have today is regulation that is inadequate and only applies to fund managers. The funds themselves have escaped regulation for the moment.”

“Just when you thought the greed and excessive risk-taking of the speculators had finally discredited light touch regulation of financial markets, the European Commission has come forward with super-light touch regulation. It’s so light it’s fly-weight.”

The Commission’s failure to come forward with proper regulation of hedge funds and private equity is a snub to the European Parliament which passed a report last September with a large cross-party majority calling for very specific regulation of hedge funds and private equity. This report was followed up with no less than three joint letters to Commission President Barroso from Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Martin Schulz and Pervenche Beres. The most recent letter, sent earlier this month, tells Barroso “We demand that you address the shortcomings of this proposal for a directive before it is agreed by the Commission, and that you do so with sufficient speed to present the proposal before the European elections.”

Rasmussen said today “Barroso has ignored the wishes of the Parliament, abandoned the commitments he made to the Parliament and dismissed the warnings of European Socialists. He is making a serious miscalculation.”

Rasmussen declared that the failure to bring forward regulation of hedge funds and private equity as demanded by – and subsequently promised to - the European Parliament will have political consequences for the Commission President’s hopes of a second term. “Barroso pretends to be the candidate for all parties but he has caved in to the demands of industry and their friends in the Commission.”

“Commissioner McCreevy would have us think that this is a consensus. In his world, it seems, ‘consensus’ is only what private equity and hedge funds want, not what is in the interests of the real companies and working people.”

Last week heads of European election lists from Party of European Socialists member parties meeting in Toulouse agreed 7 steps to be taken in the first 100 days following the European elections including “Effective regulation and supervision of the financial markets, covering all financial actors and instruments, including hedge funds and private equity.”

Commenting on the €500 million threshold for private equity Rasmussen said “I understand why Mr. McCreevy and his friends in the City of London and other financial capitals are smiling. Private equity can pop the champagne today but they may not be celebrating for long as we will not accept such an ineffective regulation.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has identified 10 big holes in proposal for a directive:

1. The proposal covers only EU-based fund managers (not the funds themselves, and not managers based elsewhere)

2. The registration proposed is a formality with no real requirements

3. It sets a threshold of €100 million for hedge funds and €500 million for private equity, which will herald a golden age for fund managers and “consultants” to collude in circumventing the threshold.

4. The capital requirements are miniscule (calculated as 0.02%)

5. Transparency is inadequate in terms of information to be provided and frequency of reporting

6. There is no real disclosure of portfolio companies

7. Nothing on market disruption by non-EU funds

8. No regulation of naked short-selling

9. No specific protection of institutional investors

10. Nothing on tax evasion

For more information, consult:
Letters from Rasmussen, Schulz and Bères
- April
- January
- December

PES Heads of list declaration from Toulouse last week

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

EPP rethoric not matched by actions

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:00:19 +0200

As the EPP open their Congress in Warsaw, the Party of European Socialists highlighted the gap between the European conservatives’ rhetoric and their record.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned “Voters beware. There is a yawning gap between what the EPP say and what they do. The EPP’s rhetoric does not match their actions.”

“The EPP has been the largest party in all EU decision-making bodies since 2004, and what they say they want in their manifesto is quite different to what they have done over the last five years. Their manifesto does not say a word about their record over the last five years, I think they want to draw a veil over it. ”

He explained “The EPP manifesto claims that the creation of new jobs is their core priority. But they have already declared that Europe does not need to do any more to fight unemployment. At the G20 in April European conservatives rejected Barack Obama and Gordon Brown’s proposal for new investments to create new jobs. Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy have made it quite clear that they believe Europe has done enough.”

“There is a real danger that unemployment will hit 27 million across Europe next year. That is an appalling prospect and a terrible waste of talent. It will be enormously expensive in welfare payments and lost taxes, and provides powerful financial and humanitarian reasons for Europe to invest in the fight against the recession.”

Rasmussen added “The EPP manifesto says they want better regulation of the financial market but they have spent years arguing against regulation. For months they resisted my report on regulating hedge funds and private equity, and changed their tune only after the collapse of Lehman Brothers.” See more info below.

“The EPP manifesto says they want a society based on solidarity and social cohesion but what have they done to achieve it? Inequality and poverty and unemployment have all grown in the five years they have been in charge. They have consistently voted against proposals that improve solidarity and social cohesion.” See more info below.

“The EPP candidate for Commission President is the incumbent José Manuel Barroso because he has driven a right-wing agenda. He has done nothing like enough against the financial and economic crisis. Barroso is the candidate of the conservatives. The PES cannot support Barroso. We want a new, progressive European Commission.”

More information

Rejecting regulation
The EPP’s ‘Rome Manifesto’ of March 2006 states “In the past decades, some of our nations and the European Union as a whole became too regulated and protective in many areas. This over-regulation undermines competitiveness and costs jobs.”

Hans-Gert Pöttering told the European Parliament on March 9 2005 (when Leader of EPP Group in the European Parliament) of “the need for us to create a culture of risk-taking.”

In an EPP press release on 2 June 2008 John Purvis MEP explained that he had tabled amendments calling for the deletion of the whole legislative proposal to regulate hedge funds and private equity.

Finnish Conservative Piia-Noora Kauppi told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on 24 September 2008 “I think the biggest mistake the European Commission could have made would have been to think that more regulation is always the answer… I do not think we need to radically change our approach.”

Voting against solidarity and social cohesion
The EPP voted against ending the opt-out of the Working Time Directive. The EPP voted against the Lynne Report in April 2008 after the PES amended it to call for a new directive against discrimination. The EPP voted against excluding social services from the Services Directive. The EPP were split when it came to voting on the Agency Workers Directive, and in a vote on reviewing the Posted Workers Directive.

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

PES demands a new direction for Europe in first hundred days

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:36:59 +0200

- and promises five-year strategy demands to be put to all Commission nominees

PES candidates for the European elections from all over Europe have agreed a series of demands for their first 100 days in the new Parliament.

Meeting in Toulouse for the launch of the PES European elections campaign, socialist, social democratic, labour and democratic progressive candidates from 20 EU countries agreed a declaration stating

“The European elections on 4-7 June will be fundamental for people’s future. We are in the deepest global recession since the 1930s, mass unemployment could reach 27 million. In the space of two years, we will have lost 10 million jobs, with dramatic social consequences for people all over Europe. In addition, we have a global climate emergency and a humanitarian crisis in the developing world. The European Union urgently needs to change course”.

“This crisis is a test for European leadership”.

“We demand that in the first hundred days following the European elections, the following seven steps are taken to fight the recession and mass unemployment and to ensure social security:

1. A new, strong recovery plan for Europe, with coordinated investments in jobs and green growth. We, the PES, have proposed a European recovery plan, which could stop mass unemployment and create a new direction.

2. A European Employment Pact to safeguard employment, create new and better jobs, fight mass unemployment, and strengthen workers’ rights, working conditions and equal pay. Europe is not a market society, but a social market economy. Fundamental social rights must be ensured. These come first – including free collective bargaining, trade union rights - before the single market and economic freedoms. Free movement of labour, including posting of workers, must be based on the principle equal pay and equal working conditions for equal work in the same workplace.

3. A new Women’s Rights Charter to improve women’s right and opportunities.

4. A Social Progress Pact to tackle the full social consequences of the crisis, preventing a rise in poverty, inequality and exclusion.

5. Effective regulation and supervision of the financial markets, covering all financial actors and instruments, including hedge funds and private equity. The PES has made clear proposals on what to do to avoid devastating new financial bubbles in the future.

6. New mutual solidarity across European member states – between East and West, North and South – ensuring a common roadmap out of the crisis.

7. An urgent, common European roadmap for a global new deal, to be agreed at the G20 before the end of 2009. This is about coordinated action for new jobs on the planet, global regulation of financial markets, a global climate deal, and aid to developing countries".

The Declaration goes on to say that demands for a five-year strategy of the European Union, based on the PES Manifesto ‘People First: A New Direction for Europe’, will be presented “immediately after the European elections” and “will be made to all nominees to the new European Commission – we want a new progressive Commission with a new progressive direction for Europe”.

“The European elections of 4-7 June will be the occasion for Europe’s citizens to exercise their democratic right to determine the future course of the European Union. For this reason, we demand that the European Council respects and agrees on ensuring the newly-elected European Parliament plays its full democratic role in consultations on the new leadership of the European Commission. We must have the necessary time to form our parliamentary group in order to exercise our full democratic functions”.

“The economic and financial crisis is far from over. Men and women across Europe face a choice in these European elections: between a progressive European Union which puts people first in tackling the crisis and the real challenges we face; or a conservative European Union which is passive in the face of worsening recession and mass unemployment, leaving our future in the hands of the market”.

“This crisis must be used to turn the future into a new opportunity for people. New European leadership must ensure that no effort is spared to bring an end to the recession. We commit to the men and women across Europe to put their interests first and take Europe in a new direction in June 2009”.

Taking part in the meeting and puboic campaign launch were

Party Leaders - Martine Aubry (France), Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (PES), George Papandreou (Greece, Socialist International), Ilkka Kantola (Finland), Monika Lamperth (Hungary), Vittorio Craxi (Italy), Juri Pihl (Estonia), Ivans Dainis (Latvia), Yiannakis Omirou (Cyprus), Joseph Muscat (Malta), Laszlo Kapolyi (Hungary).

Heads of list and candidates - Martin Schulz (Germany), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Spain), French Socialist heads of list including Kader Arif, Adrian Severin (Romania), Kinga Goncz and Zita Gurmai (Hungary), Jiri Havel (Czech Republic), Britta Thomsen (Denmark), Ivari Padar (Estonia), Dimitris Komodromos (Cyprus), Luciano Vecchi (Italy), Emine Bozkurt (Netherlands), Véronique De Keyser (Belgium), Edite Estrela (Portugal), Stavros Lambrinidis (Greece), Justus Paleckis (Lithuania), Karin Kadenbach (Austria), Jolanta Szymanek Deresz (Poland), Philip Cordery (France).

To underline their concern about the crisis and unemployment Martine Aubry, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Juan Fernando López Aguilar met trade union leaders from Airbus owners EADS where a slump in orders has led to job losses and reductions in overtime and from Molex.

The candidates meeting which agreed the declaration was followed by a public campaign launch with some 2,500 enthusiastic supporters mainly from south west France and Spain.

Read the Leaders declaration

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

PES warns Barroso on regulation of hedge funds and private equity

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:10:39 +0200

In a strongly worded letter to European Commission President Barroso, leading European Socialists warn “it would be a major political mistake” for the European Commission to adopt the current draft proposal for a directive on alternative investment fund managers.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES Group President Martin Schulz and the Chair of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee Pervenche Berès write that the draft – which is supposed to fulfill the commitment, made by both President Barroso and President Sarkozy when he was President of the Council, to bring forward legislation on hedge funds and private equity – is a “proposal filled with loopholes” and “ineffective”.

They point out to Barroso “Far from including hedge funds and private equity funds in new regulation, the Commission apparently proposes to regulate only fund managers and actually exclude the funds themselves from regulatory control!”

The three Socialists tell Barroso “The exclusion of the funds themselves from the proposal for a Directive is just one of a series of major loopholes which makes the proposed Directive almost worthless.”

Their letter states “We believe you are failing to fulfill the commitments you have made yourself and made by President Sarkozy during the French Presidency in debates in the European Parliament.”

It says “We demand that you address the shortcomings of this proposal for a directive before it is agreed by the Commission, and that you do so with sufficient speed to present the proposal before the European elections” and warns that “the Party of European Socialists, and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, consider this proposal to be of the utmost importance and will not stop in its efforts to obtain the regulation that Europe needs.”

Their letter concludes “We are watching, not for further assurances, but for implementation: appropriate regulation that really does cover hedge funds and private equity as you promised.”

Among the loopholes identified by Rasmussen, Schulz and Berès are
• The directive covers the managers of funds and not the funds themselves;
• Funds less than €250 million would be exempt: setting a threshold that is much too high, and allowing many funds to remain outside the directive;
• There are no ‘capital requirements’ for funds;
• The transparency required is inadequate towards investors and regulators, and the frequency and quality of reporting is insufficient;
• Disclosure of leveraged buy outs of companies is insufficient;
• The proposal does not cover taxation of investors, funds and managers.

Read the letter

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

PES challenges liberals in health, post, rail and energy

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:12:21 +0200

On the day the European Liberals launch their European election campaign, the Party of European Socialists challenged the ELDR to make an unambiguous commitment to protect public services.

What prompted the challenge is the Liberals’ election manifesto demand “The single market should be reinforced and extended in energy, postal services, railways and health care” without any reference to protecting the public service element of these essential services.

In an article published in Belgian newspaper Le Soir PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, writing with Belgian Socialist Party Leaders Elio Di Rupo and Caroline Gennez, asks the European Liberals “how do you propose to use the single market to ensure these services remain high-quality, affordable and accessible to all?”

The article points out that Liberal MEPs voted against excluding health and other public services from the controversial Services Directive, and in recent debates on cross-border health care “Liberal MEPs have been arguing for an open market for health care without regard for the implications, we Socialists have been working hard to make sure that a privilege for a few does not undermine health care for the many.”

They write “It sounds nice for a patient from Belgium to travel, let’s say, to Austria for treatment, but how much will it cost and where does the money come from ultimately - from local health services or is it the patient who will pay the difference?” For the PES the key is not the single market but the fact that “Health care is a public service. Our priority must be to ensure that everyone has access to good quality health care where they live, regardless of ability to pay. This is a fundamental principle: market forces must never be the master of health services.”

On postal services Rasmussen, Di Rupo and Gennez write “Postal services have already been exposed to the single market, involving substantial job losses, but no evident benefit for the consumer. What is the advantage of another extension of the single market in postal services?”

On energy they point out “greater challenges than more liberalization lie ahead. Has the single market improved security of energy supplies, helped the transition to renewable energy or improved energy efficiency? First and foremost we need a better functioning single market before anything else.”

On railways they underline “ultimately the function of railways is not to generate profits for private companies: good, affordable transport is a social and economic necessity.”

The Socialist Leaders conclude their article “The manifesto of the Party of European Socialists leaves no room for doubt, making our commitment to maintaining the integrity of public services clear ‘so that European competition and business rules do not run counter to citizens’ rights’. The Liberal manifesto for the European elections makes no such commitment. That’s why we are worried.”

Read the letter to European Liberal parties (in French only)

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

Draft directive on alternative investment fund managers "full of loopholes"

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:44:49 +0200

After months of telling the world that it was important treat hedge funds and private equity separately, European Commissioner McCreevy has presented a proposal for a directive to his fellow Commissioners on "Alternative Investment Fund Managers" that includes both hedge funds and private equity.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has described the draft directive, currently on consultation within the European Commission but widely leaked to lobbyists and media, as “full of loopholes”.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen’s major concerns about the draft directive include:

• The directive covers the managers of funds and not the funds themselves. Thus while fund managers would have to be registered in the EU, the funds would not – allowing off-shore funds to market their products without effective registration or regulation;

• The registration is a formality and does not include effective transparency on leverage, fees or investors. The frequency and quality of reporting is inadequate and transparency is insufficient both for investors and for regulators;

• Funds less than €250 million would be exempt: setting a threshold that is much too high, and allowing many funds to remain outside the directive;

• There are no ‘capital requirements’ for funds;

• Disclosure of leveraged buy outs of companies is insufficient.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Barroso and Sarkozy promised the European Parliament regulation covering private equity and hedge funds. Instead what we have so far is a weak draft directive covering only fund managers. It would be a big mistake for Barroso to allow Charlie McCreevy to present such a bad directive. I don’t believe this is what Sarkozy and Merkel had in mind when they were arguing for strong financial market regulation at the G20. I don’t understand how McCreevy thinks he is going to get away with such inadequate regulation.”

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

Too early to make European election predictions

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:06:14 +0200

Commenting on the predictions for the European elections featured on the new website predict09.eu PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "It is too early to predict the outcome of the European elections."

He added "In any case, some of the predictions are highly questionable. For example they forecast that the Italian Partito Democratico will be split between the Socialist and Liberal groups whereas the Partito Democratico has said it will not be divided. I am confident that the PES and the Partito Democratico will be together."

"Our aim is to be the largest group and we have a real opportunity to achieve it."

"It is the voters who decide. There is a political choice between us and our conservative and liberal opponents. People are looking for a way out of this terrible crisis. We are the only European party to offer a clear and comprehensive plan to beat the recession."

Another woman leader for the PES

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:53:52 +0200

The Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) has chosen a woman as its new leader. Ildikó Lendvai, a women’s rights supporter and former teacher who led the Socialist Group in the Hungarian Parliament from 2002 to 2006, received 91% of delegates’ votes at the party congress in Budapest on Sunday. In doing so the MSZP has joined a growing number of PES member parties with women leaders. In her first speech in the post, Lendvai praised the work of her predecessor, the outgoing Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány.

Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women and fellow Hungarian Socialist, said “This is absolutely fantastic news. Ildikó Lendvai has an exceptional record, having founded the Women’s Section of the MSZP and fought tirelessly for women’s political representation and participation, a gender-equal labour market and more rights for mothers.”

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen echoed these comments, saying “I am delighted at the election of Ildikó Lendvai to party leader and am confident that she will offer the strength and vision necessary in these turbulent times of economic crisis. I am proud that our political family continues to lead the way in championing gender equality.”

Gurmai, who is one of three women to lead the MSZP list for the upcoming European elections, added “This just goes to show that Europe’s socialists and social democrats are streets ahead of the liberals and conservatives in the fight for gender equality. It is in tellingly stark contrast to the right-wing leadership in the Czech Republic, where the government of Václav Klaus and Mirek Topolanek has been one of the most chauvinistic in recent times”.

In February this year, Zita Gurmai, along with leading PES politicians from Spain and Slovenia, successfully led opposition to attempts by the Czech EU Presidency to water down child care targets, putting the principles expressed in the gender equality chapter of the PES manifesto into practice. The manifestos of the European liberals and conservatives, however, make no reference whatsoever to gender equality.

Find out more about PES women.
Read the gender equality chapter in the PES manifesto.

Global deal for a new fairness and a new respect for the planet

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:56:12 +0200

Read the GPF call

A call for a 'Global New Deal' was launched today in Brussels by a unique coalition of progressive politicians, trade unions and NGOs from over forty countries.

The launch of the call took place at the Global Progressive Forum, a huge gathering of over 2,000 politicians, trades unionists, NGOs, representatives of progressive international organizations and grassroots activists in the European Parliament, and timed to coincide with the end of the G20.

The declaration states "Together it is possible to change the face of globalization"

"Over recent decades, progressive forces have been warning about the accumulation of risks and injustices for people and the planet. Now, the fundamental and systemic failures of the current economic system are undeniable: the time has come to restate our values, our vision and our proposals for a new direction, transforming our societies, improving the lives of our and future generations."

"Millions live in poverty without access to decent work, housing or basic medical care while others indulge shocking greed."

The Global Progressive Forum calls for a Global New Deal including

- The biggest coordinated fiscal stimulus in modern history to stop unemployment and poverty;
- Financial market regulation, including an end to tax avoidance by the elite by abolishing tax havens;
- Supporting the transition to a renewable and energy efficient economy;
- Promoting fair trade;
- Pushing decent work up the global agenda;
- A more equitable sharing of revenue between capital and labour;
- Ensuring women's rights;
- Massive new resources to secure development in the world's poorest countries.

Each person taking part in the launch of the call for a 'Global New Deal' signed a giant globe to show their support, and explained to the gathered audience why they supported the declaration. Signatories included:

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES, Member of the European Parliament, former Prime Minister of Denmark

Elisabeth Tang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, Hong Kong/China

Chico Whitaker, co-founder and member of the organising committee of the World Social Forum (in personal capacity)

Anna Diamontopoulou, Member of the Greek Parliament with Greek Socialist Party PASOK and former European Commissioner

Martin Ziguela, President of the MLPC, former Prime Minister, Central African Republic

Lionel Jospin, former Prime Minister of France

Pascal Affi N'guessan, President of the FPI, Vice President of the Socialist International, former Prime Minister of Ivory Coast

Karl August Offman, former President of Mauritius, and leader of the Africa Forum

Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, former Minister of Justice, Spain

Jutta Urpilainen, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Finland

Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Leader of the FDTL, candidate for the presidential elections 2009, Tunisia

Alpha Conde, Leader of the Rassemblement du Peuple de Guinée

Pervenche Bères, Chair of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, France

Josep Borrell, Chair of the Global Progressive Forum, Chair of European Parliament Development Committee

Zita Gurmai, PES Women President

Guy Ryder, Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation

Piero Fassino, Member of Italian Parliament, EU Special Envoy to Burma, former Minister of Justice

John Tesha, General Secretary of the Africa Forum, South Africa

Aicha Belarbi, from Morocco, former Secretary of State for Cooperation and former Ambassador to the EU

Namrata Bali, founder of Self Employed Women's Association, India

Bob Kuttner, Editor of the American Prospect, USA

Aminata Traore, writer and former Minister of Culture, Mali

Mercedes Bresso, President of the Socialist Group in the Committee of Regions and President of the Piedmont Region, Italy

Larry Mishel, Chair of the Economic Policy Institute, USA

Salima Ghezali from Algeria, writer and winner of 1997 Sakharov Prize

Vandana Shiva, Director of the Research Foundation for science, technology and ecology, India

Professor Stephany Griffith-Jones, Columbia University, USA

Sony Kapoor, Executive Director of Re-define, India

Kader Arif, member of the European Parliament, France

John Evans, General Secretary of the TUAC_OECD

Mody Guiro, General Secretary of CNTS, Senegal

Conny Reuter, Secretary General of Solidar

Bob Borosage, Co-Chair of the Campaign for America's future, USA

Luciano Vecchi, Vice chair of the Global Progressive Forum and a member of the Partito Democratico, Italy

Ernst Stetter, General Secretary of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies

Giacomo Filibeck, President of ECOSY, European Socialist Youth

Viviana Pinero, Vice President of the International Union of Socialist Youth, Uruguay

Others supporting the declaration while not being present to sign were Pascal Lamy, Howard Dean and Alfred Gusenbauer.

The Global Progressive Forum 2009 is co-organized by the Party of European Socialists, the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies.

G20 – European conservatives block what world needs most

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:25:02 +0200

Commenting on the outcome of the G20, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Gordon Brown has done a magnificent job to bring about an agreement. The G20 had important successes and one big disappointment. On the positive side are the tripling of IMF funds and agreement on financial regulation. There are useful commitments to clamp down on tax havens, reform the IMF, complete the Doha world trade round and clean up toxic assets but there is still a long way to go to achieve them. The failure to agree a new stimulus is a major disappointment. European conservatives Sarkozy and Merkel have blocked what the world most urgently needs - a new stimulus to create jobs.”

“The world needs a new stimulus, not later, not in the future, but now. It is fine to agree that more will be done later if the IMF recommends it, but the IMF has already recommended a 2% of GDP investment in jobs and growth and Europe has not made that investment. So what I want to know is when the European Commission will come up with a new and updated recovery plan that meets the recommendations of the IMF?”

“We have to keep up the pressure on European conservative Presidents and Chancellors who refuse to invest what’s needed to create new jobs. They say Europe has done enough. I say Europe has a lot more to do to get the unemployed back to work.”

“We will see how serious the European Commission is about financial market regulation when it publishes its proposals on hedge funds and private equity later in the month.”

“The G20 is a good start but if we really want a Global New Deal we also need to keep working for more concrete progress on climate change, the Millennium Development Goals, decent work and the wide-ranging reform of the international institutions.”

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

Last call to G20

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:18:04 +0200

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen made an emergency call on behalf of Europe's socialists and social democrats to the G20 to agree a new global stimulus package to create jobs and growth.

Rasmussen said “There is a clear need now for a new global stimulus package. Europe now has over 19 million unemployed in Europe, and economic activity is forecast by the OECD to plunge by 4.3 per cent this year alone. Unemployment in Europe will rise to 25 million by the end of the year. It is an economic and human disaster, and will be even worse in developing countries where hundreds of thousands of children will die due to the loss of family income because of the crisis.”

“Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy must accept the need for a new European investment effort. No one is fooled by the claims of the European Commission that Europe is investing 3.3% of GDP because the real figure is less than the 2% recommended by the IMF. The US, Japan and China are making serious efforts, now Europe must join them in helping the world to get out of the crisis.”

“The G20 must also begin the process of reforming the IMF, bringing in better international financial regulation and clamping down on tax avoidance. A crackdown on tax havens could provide the funds to make a real difference in the global fight against infectious diseases, maternal mortality and poverty. Tougher measures to restore bank lending are also vital.”

PES party leaders and Prime Ministers, meeting on 19 March agreed a seven point strategy to tackle the crisis including global action involving:

- strongly coordinated, proactive fiscal stimulus policies to take the world economy out of recession and on the path to sustainable development;

- completion of the Doha Development Round, ensuring that it benefits all countries;

- achievement of the UN Millennium Goals and the decent work agenda;

- strengthened IMF resources and new financing instruments to face down the rapid contraction of inward investment, aid and trade currently hitting the developing world;

- no to slow down in negotiations for a new global climate deal “on the contrary, the recovery must lead to economic transformation across the world for a low-carbon future”;

- reform of global governance.

As the G20 meets in London a larger global gathering is taking place in Brussels under the umbrella of the Global Progressive Forum – bringing together progressive politicians, trade unions, NGOs and grassroots activists to discuss a Global New Deal to tackle the economic, energy, climate and food crises. Taking part are former President Bill Clinton, Pascal Lamy, Howard Dean, António Guterres, Juan Somavia, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Lionel Jospin, Vandana Shiva, Salima Ghezali, Susan George, Taslima Nasreen, Aminata Traore and Chico Whitaker. Many participants will on Friday at midday sign a declaration for a New Global Deal based on sustainable development and social justice.

Consult the PES seven point strategy
Learn more the Global Progressive Forum

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

President Bill Clinton at GPF conference

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:37:45 +0200

US President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker at a conference on the global crisis to be held in the European Parliament on 2 and 3 April.

President Clinton will address the opening session of the Global Progressive Forum. 2,000 people from all over the world have registered for the event timed to coincide with the G20 meeting in London and NATO's anniversary.

The Global Progressive Forum brings together politicians, trades unions, NGOs and representatives of progressive international organizations. Along with President Clinton, participants will include Pascal Lamy, Howard Dean, António Guterres, Juan Somavia, Vandana Shiva, Salima Ghezali, Susan George, Taslima Nasreen, Aminata Traore and Chico Whitaker.

Discussions will focus on finding new answers to the global economic and financial, food and climate and energy crises.

Key moments include:

* Opening event at 15.00 on Thursday 2 April with President Bill Clinton;
* Workshop 1: Progressive politics in Globalization at 16.00 on Thursday 2 April with Howard Dean;
* Plenary session 'Getting out of the economic recession' at 10.30 on Friday 3 April with Pascal Lamy and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen;
* 'Time for a Global New Deal' at 12.00 on Friday 3 April: Signing of declaration for a Global New Deal for social justice, sustainability and participation.

The Global Progressive Forum 2009 is co-organized by the PES, the PES Group in the European Parliament and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies. You can find the programme here.

The event is open to the media throughout and will be live streamed the website of the Global Progressive Forum.

There will also be live blogging on www.globalprogressiveforum.org as well as on the websites of the PES and the Socialist Group.

PRACTICAL DETAILS FOR MEDIA

* No advance registration is required for journalists with European Commission accreditation. Journalists who are not European Commission accredited should send their name, the name of their publication/broadcaster and their date of birth to marijana.sostaric@europarl.europa.eu by the evening of Wednesday April 1st and their security badges for the European Parliament will be available at the Press Entrance of the European Parliament the next day.
* There will be a press desk on just outside the Hemicycle from 13.00 on Thursday until 18.30 on Friday with staff to help you with interview requests, the latest programme and any other matters where we could be of assistance.
* For the opening session with President Bill Clinton all media - including TV cameras - must be in the Hemicycle media gallery on the 4th floor.
* For contacts for speakers contact Julian Scola or Tony Robinson, or the press desk.

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

EU favours political spin over serious recovery plan

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:25:58 +0100

Speaking after his strong intervention in the European Parliamentary debate with Council President Topolanek and Commission President Barroso, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "The Council and Commission are trying to hide the truth. To claim that Europe is investing 3.3% of GDP in recovery is pure political spin. Of course when unemployment is going up then unemployment benefit payments will go up too - but this is not investing in new jobs and cannot be presented as investment in growth. Europe still needs a serious, effective recovery plan, and I want to see it presented on 7 May."

Rasmussen added "It is a scandal that President Sarkozy has reduced the employment summit to a troika. The unemployment crisis will not disappear because he refuses to discuss what to do about the freefall in employment."

"Now the IMF is telling us that the economic recession is getting deeper and will reach minus 3.2% in the Eurozone, which probably means it will be even worse in some other parts of the EU. If Europe doesn't make a strong and urgent new effort now to invest tin growth, as we propose in the PES recovery plan, I fear unemployment will reach 25 million by early 2010. Europe must act, and must act decisively at the employment summit on 7 May."

Rasmussen told the European Parliament, in the presence of Topolanek and Barroso, that the Summit had been a Council of silence and illusions, that the EU's recovery plan was less than half of the US' and well below what the IMF recommended, and contrasted President Sarkozy's opposition to a full summit on employment on 7 May to the number of extra summits the French President called his Presidency of the Council.

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

Topolanek should stop trying to be “funny”

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:29:06 +0100

Commenting on Czech Prime Minister Topolanek’s “joke” at the EU summit press conference responding to a question on the lack of women at the top table, the President of PES Women Zita Gurmai said

“If Mr Topolanek thinks it is a joke to describe half of Europe’s citizens as martians he should give up trying to be funny. It is bad enough that Europe, under his presidency, is not taking any extra actions to help women and men threatened by the recession, but to insult women as well is too much. I hope Mr Topolanek is embarrassed. Mr Barroso should be embarrassed too for keeping quiet when he should have said he disagreed.”

Find more about Czech Prime Minister's "joke"

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

EU Summit – it's simply not enough

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:11:36 +0100

Commenting on the outcome of the EU Summit PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Europe has been badly let down. The forecasts get worse but the so-called recovery plan remains unchanged. It is not up to the challenge ahead of us. The fire is spreading but there are no more firefighters on their way. Europe is not doing enough and we will all pay the price with worsening public deficits due to falling tax revenue and increased welfare payments.”

“It is hard to be optimistic about the G20 if Europe’s attitude is that it has done enough. It looks like that once again Europe is relying on America to come to its rescue.”

Commenting on the agreement to use an €5bn of unspent EU funds on projects to generate growth, increase the Community facility loans by €50bn and an additional €75bn loan to the IMF, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The extra €5bn is peanuts and the rest are just loans. It’s simply not enough.”

Commenting on the efforts Mr Barroso has made this week to get another term as Commission President, Rasmussen said “Pity he was just looking after his own employment rather than doing something extra for the millions who will become unemployed.”

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

PES leaders call for stronger, bolder recovery plan

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:18:11 +0100

Watch the photos of the meeting

PES party leaders meeting in Brussels ahead of the EU Summit called for a stronger, bolder and better coordinated recovery plan for Europe, as well as for the EU to promote a global new deal at the G20 summit in April.

The leaders of Europe’s socialist, social democratic and labour parties adopted a declaration stating “We call on European Heads of State and Government at the Spring Summit of 19-20 March to agree coordinated and ambitious policies for European and global action to meet the full scale and urgency of the challenge we are facing.”

The leaders agreed that “Only a stronger, bolder and better coordinated European and global recovery effort will lift us out of recession.”

The PES declaration warns ”The costs of not taking further steps will be enormous: a prolonged and deep recession could bring with it long-term social, economic and unemployment problems that would hurt people and countries across Europe.”

The PES leaders proposed a seven-point strategy to update the European Economy Recovery plan including:

1. More investments: to generate new growth in EU Member States in 2009 and 2010;
2. More credit facilities: opening credit lines in the banking system for private investments and spending for the recovery;
3. A Pact for Employment: to stimulate the creation of new jobs, support the unemployed back into employment as fast as possible, and support existing jobs;
4. A Social Progress Pact: to tackle the social costs of the crisis, preventing a rise in poverty, inequality and exclusion;
5. Economic solidarity: strengthening financial support to member states who do not have sufficient means to stabilise their banking system and invest in recovery;
6. Better regulation: comprehensive, sound regulation and supervision of all financial instruments and players, including hedge funds and private equity;
7. Global action: including
            - strongly coordinated, proactive fiscal stimulus policies to take the world economy out of recession and on the path to sustainable development;
            - completion of the Doha Development Round, ensuring that it benefits all countries;
            - achievement of the UN Millennium Goals, saying “if we fail, another generation will be lost to poverty and deprivation”;
            - strenthened IMF resources and new financing instruments to face down the rapid contraction of inward investment, aid and trade currently hitting the developing world;
            - no to slow down in negotiations for a new global climate deal “on the contrary, the recovery must lead to economic transformation across the world for a low-carbon future”;
            - reform of global governance which “was designed for another time.”

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Gone are the days when President Bush could be blamed for the lack of constructive global leadership. Today it is Europe that risks being blamed by the rest of the world. We are facing the worst recession since the 1930s but Merkel, Sarkozy and Juncker say no to doing any more to counter it. The European Commission promotes the fiction that Europe is investing 3.3% of its GDP in recovery when the real figure is much less, and well below what the US is spending and what the IMF are recommending. Merkel and Sarkozy are undermining Europe's credibility in Washington and across the globe.”

Those taking part in the meeting included Werner Faymann, José Sócrates, Ferenc Gyurcsany, Sergei Stanishev, Borut Pahor, Dan Nica, Jean Asselborn, Frans Timmermans, Diego Lopez Garrido, Martine Aubry, Mircea Geoana, George Papandreou, Mona Sahlin, Elio Di Rupo, Caroline Gennez, Ivari Padar, Janis Dinevics, Grzegorz Napieralski, Margot Wallstrom, Joaquin Almunia, Vladimir Spidla, Javier Solana, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Martin Schulz, Massimo D'Alema, Lapo Pistelli, Vittorio Craxi, Zita Gurmai, Josep Borrell, Mercedes Bresso, Giacomo Filibeck, Ruairi Quinn, Jiri Havel, Fidias Sarikas, Vittorio Craxi, Philip Cordery.

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

Europe's credibility at risk if it does not pull its weight

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:38:48 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned that Europe's credibility was at risk if it does not pull its weight alongside US, China and Japan in countering the recession.

Rasmussen said "In the past Europe blamed President Bush for the lack of constructive global leadership. Today it is Europe that risks being blamed by the rest of the world. The world is facing the worst recession since the 1930s but Merkel and Sarkozy are unwilling to do any more to counter the recession. Instead, the European Commission promotes the fiction that Europe is investing 3.3% of its GDP in recovery when the real figure is much, much less. Japan and China are willing to do more, putting Europe in the embarrassing position of being the one that is not pulling its weight."

"At the time of the inauguration I warned that the new president poses a test to Europe's ability to deliver. I didn't imagine that Merkel and Sarkozy might fail so fast. As we all suspected, Sarkozy is more interested in calling summits than actually doing something constructive. Merkel and Sarkozy are risking a devastating blow to Europe's credibility in Washington and across the globe."

Rasmussen added "It is time we pointed the finger at those who are putting particular priorities on the G20 only in order to escape their responsibilities. Merkel and Sarkozy are all in favour of promoting a crackdown on tax havens and new financial market regulation because they want to get out of paying their contribution to generating global growth. Meanwhile the chair of British Airways wants us to believe that tax havens, hedge fund regulation and top executives pay are 'red herrings'. You might want us to think that Mr Broughton, but we are not stupid. Of course fiscal stimulus is vital, but that does detract from the need to end tax avoidance, curb excessive pay and bring in new regulation for the whole financial sector including hedge funds and private equity."

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen wrote in EU affairs website EU Observer on the eve of President Obama's inauguration "the new president poses a test to Europe's ability to deliver. There can be no more hiding behind George W. Bush as an excuse for failure. Europe has an opportunity with Barack Obama. But can a conservative-run European Union seize it? We will find out in the coming months if the European Union is serious about re-launching the global economy."

Rasmussen said today "I wouldn't say Europe is not serious, but Merkel and Sarkozy are making a mistake because they believe that investing more will harm their budgets whereas the opposite is the case. The less they invest the more they will have to pay for unemployment and the less tax they will earn."

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

Time to meet. Time for action. New GPF initiative, 2-3 April 2009, Brussels

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:23:05 +0100

Changes are still going on globally – and too few of them to the benefit of people and the planet! It is urgent to take a new initiative. We, as international progressive forces, must step up our efforts to advance new answers to the economic crisis and job losses, climate change, the food crisis, the financial market crisis, jobs, decent work and a fairer globalization.

It is therefore time for progressives to meet again – all of us from all around the planet.

We would like to invite you at the third large-scale major public conference organized by the Global Progressive Forum on 2-3 April 2009 at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

We expect more than a thousand participants to attend our Global Progressive Forum Conference in April 2009. During two days, key politicians and leading personalities from international institutions, trade unionists and representatives from non-governmental organizations from different parts of the world will come together. Please circulate this invitation!

LIST OF CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Joseph Stiglitz, Susan George, Vandana Shiva, Howard Dean, Pascal Lamy (WTO), Dominique Strauss-Kahn (IMF), Guy Ryder (ITUC), Kemal Dervis (UNDP), John Sweeney (AFL-CIO), António Guterres (UNHCR), John Monks (ETUC), Marco Aurélio Garcia (Brazil), Olivier De Schutter, Salima Ghezali, Tsuyoshi Takagi, Martin Khor (TWN), Alfred Gusenbauer, Chico Whitaker (WSF), Lionel Jospin, Gareth Evans (ICG), Ousmane Tanor Dieng, Pascal Affi N’guessan, Juan Somavia (ILO), Phil Bloomer (Oxfam), Elio Di Rupo, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Martin Schulz, Josep Borrell.

You will find more information on the programme, the organizational aspects and the technical details of the event on www.globalprogressiveforum.org. Translation of the debates in Englisg, French, German and Spanish.

Europe “Not done enough" on crisis

admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:42:54 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen told European Commission President Barroso, in a debate in the European Parliament on the EU Summit next week on the crisis, that Europe needed “to do more” and create a “new recovery effort” to fight the recession and protect employment which he said was in “freefall”.

The PES President informed Barroso that the real EU stimulus was not 3.3% of GDP as the Commission President claimed but nearer 0.9%, and warned that this was less than half of what was being proposed by US President Obama in the American stimulus package. He told Barroso “don’t paint so rosy a picture.”

Rasmussen challenged Barroso to say whether he agreed with Jean-Claude Juncker who claimed yesterday that Europe had done enough to counter the crisis. Rasmussen bluntly told the Parliament that Europe had “not done enough.”

Rasmussen appealed to Barroso for a comprehensive updated plan to fight the recession and to match the US efforts to create growth.

The PES President also warned it was necessary to “avoid new economic dividing lines in Europe” and urged the Commission to “consider new financial possibilities” to assist central and eastern European economies that were in trouble as a result of the credit crisis and currency speculation. Rasmussen proposed that Eurobonds were one possibility and further assistance from the EIB was another.

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

Celebrating International Women's Day

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:28:30 +0100

The PES has designated the weekend 7-8 March, which includes International Women’s Day (8 March), as its first ‘European Day of Action’ for the 2009 European elections.

PES member party events are already underway in various corners of the European Union. Yesterday the Austrian Social Democrats began their launch of their "Fairness for women" campaign in central Vienna with many more events to follow over the weekend. Meanwhile in Belgium the Parti Socialiste were distributing roses to raise awareness of women's issues across Brussels and Wallonia. In Nicosia, the Cypriot Social Democrats held a press conference on parental leave and to review a successful recent street campaign on women's rights, while in Athens a conference is being held today by Greek Socialist Party PASOK on the PES manifesto commitments on gender equality, and the record of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament on women’s rights. Earlier in the week the Irish Labour Party launched a Gender Parity Bill with a proposed sanction of reducing payments from the state to political parties if they fail to move towards gender parity in terms of candidates selected to contest national elections.

Tomorrow activities include:

• An awards ceremony in Budapest organized by the Hungarian Socialist Party Women’s Section in which Commissioner Vladimir Spidla will be presented a prize for his contribution to gender equality, and in particular for his efforts in putting the gender pay gap on the EU agenda. PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES Women President Zita Gurmai and Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany will speak at the event;

• leaflets with extracts of the PES manifesto will be handed out by activists from PS France take parting in the demonstration in Paris “All together for women’s rights”;

• a conference on “Social Protection for Motherhood in Bulgaria” organized by the Union of Socialist Women for Parity and Solidarity;

• PES Secretary General Philip Cordery will present the PES manifesto commitments on gender equality to the congress of the Estonian Social Democratic Party;

• PES activists will be handing out flyers in Berlin, Norrkoping (Sweden), Poznan (Poland), Dublin, Athens and elsewhere;

• members of the Belgian socialist parties PS and SP.a will take part in the protest “Tous ensemble pour les femmes en République Démocratique du Congo”.

International Women’s Day Events organized over the two days of this weekend by PES member parties are confirmed in at least 25 EU member states: consult the full list of activities.

Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, said “The PES manifesto commits us to champion gender equality because that is what we believe in. We will work in the coming years to improve parental leave, fight the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation, achieve equal political representation of women and men, support implementation of EU child care targets – and defend those child care targets from attacks from the Czech Presidency and other conservatives.”

You can follow reports from PES member party International Women’s Day events on the PES website throughout the weekend.

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

European Commission crisis complacency

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:03:40 +0100

Commenting on the European Commission proposals for the EU Spring Summit, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The European Commission’s satisfaction with its European Economic Recovery Plan, that it has set the right course, is completely misplaced and complacent. Why doesn’t the European Commission tell the truth? The economy and employment are in freefall. The European economic stimulus package is nowhere near the 3.3% of GDP that the Commission claims, the real total stimulus is less than 1%. The decline in GDP is not going to be -2% as forecast by the Commission, it may be as high as -4%.”

“A new, updated Recovery Plan is needed now, otherwise there will be 25 million unemployed in 2010. There must be real coordination focused on real investments. Europe also needs to do more for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is in our common economic and political interest to prevent financial meltdown in those countries. Europe talks a lot about solidarity, now is the time it is really needed. This cannot be postponed until the June Summit, it must be tackled now.”

On financial regulation Rasmussen added “It is positive that Barroso has finally agreed to present regulation covering all financial players including hedge funds and private equity. What worries me is a large part of the private equity sector will now try to escape regulation by claiming it does not present ‘systemic risks’. But with the corporate loan market at risk of default and a substantial part of that market originating from private equity, I see no reason to let private equity slip out of the regulatory net.”

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

PES marks International Women's Day with first european election day action

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:50:25 +0100

The Party of European Socialists, and socialist, social democratic and labour parties across Europe, are highlighting their commitment to women’s equality by celebrating International Women’s Day.

The PES has designated the weekend 7-8 March, which includes International Women’s Day (8 March), as its first ‘European Day of Action’ for the 2009 European elections.

Events organized by PES member parties are confirmed over the two days in at least 18 EU member states including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. For more details consult the full list of activities.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen will join Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, at a large public event in Budapest organized by the Women’s Section of the Hungarian Socialist Party and the Women’s Section of the Hungarian Trade Unions Association from 10-10.45 in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. They will also address an award ceremony organized by the Socialist Party Women’s Section, and in the presence of Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, from 11.00-13.30 for outstanding achievements in advancing the cause of women.

Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, said “Championing gender equality is the commitment the PES makes in its manifesto because we believe profoundly in equality between women and men. Socialists and social democrats have been at the forefront of the women’s movement from the its beginning and will continue to play a major role now and in the future. The PES is the only major European political party to make a manifesto commitment to the principle of equality between women and men.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “I am proud to celebrate International Women’s day and I am proud of the PES’ commitment to champion gender equality. The manifestos of the Liberal ELDR and the Conservative EPP contain no commitment to gender equality. The Liberals laughably claimed that they had made no specific commitment to women because it was in their genes. How can they seriously claim that they care so much about women’s equality that they forgot to say so? We all know Conservatives have spent years opposing or trying to undermine women’s rights – so the absence of a commitment to women’s equality is hardly a surprise.”

You can follow reports from PES member party International Women’s Day events on the PES website http://elections2009.pes.org/ on Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March.

Rasmussen calls on Commission to reject EVCA self-regulation

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:20:15 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today called on the European Commission to reject the European Venture Capital Association’s proposal to “unify industry professional standards coverage across Europe” and “within 12 months.”

Rasmussen said “This is totally unacceptable and should be rejected outright and immediately by the European Commission. I can’t believe the industry is so complacent and insensitive to opinion that they propose nothing more than European-wide self regulation in a year from now.”

“Have they forgotten that we are in the deepest financial crisis since 1929, that this crisis has created a recession that puts at jeopardy the jobs of millions of people? They say they are not part of systemic risks but we have seen numerous cases of pro-cyclicality in their behaviour. Recent LBO financing activity seems very similar to what happened in the sub-prime mortgage market. And there are a lot of other problems - over-leveraging our companies, extreme use of debt, greedy fee structures, the weakening of our companies’ competitiveness.”

“It’s too late now that everyone – with the possible exception of Charlie McCreevy – agrees that self-regulation has failed and that binding legislation is needed. I am astonished that the ECVA think they can get away with self-regulation. They haven’t got the message have they? Maybe they have been badly advised by Mr McCreevy.”

“This unrealistic and inadequate proposal from the EVCA makes me more determined than ever to continue arguing and documenting the need or regulation. It’s a mater of urgency.”

Read the PES call for better regulation of hedge funds and private equity adopted as long ago as 2007.

Consult the report on financial market reform drafted by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and adopted by the European Parliament in September 2008.

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

Commission in the spotlight on de Laroisière proposals

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:08:33 +0100

Commenting on the de Larosière group proposals on financial market supervision and regulation, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The de Larosière group proposals represent an essential step forward. They are ambitious but practical. The spotlight is now on the European Commission. It is a test of Barroso’s courage and conviction. Today should be an important day in the history of international financial markets – but we shall see if the current conservative European Commission is capable of taking the recommended steps.”

“The proposal for three collegial authorities is pragmatic, and a first vital step towards proper European supervision.”

“De Larosière proposes capital requirements and reporting requirements for hedge funds. This is excellent news coming as it does after the agreement in Berlin among European leaders to press at the G20 for regulation covering all players including hedge funds and private equity. We are coming closer each day to regulation of all financial actors on the market without exception.”

“The challenge now is to agree and implement the proposals, and to do so in the timeline proposed by de Larosière.”

Commenting on Barroso’s statement today that the Commission would come forward in April with proposals on hedge funds and private equity, Rasmussen said “I welcome the commitment but the proposals ought to be presented to the next European Council in March, and before the G20. There is a chance to lead by example at the G20 which would be lost if the proposals are presented later. I hope Barroso’s idea to present in April is not a deliberate delay.”

“I am sure Mr Barroso is getting the message now that self-regulation is not the answer, not for private equity or anyone else.”

The PES adopted a call for better regulation of hedge funds and private equity as long ago as 2007 – read the document

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen drafted the report on financial market reform adopted by the European Parliament in September 2008 – read more on the report

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, ommunications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org

EU leaders to put PES demands for financial market regulation to G20

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:22:30 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today welcomed the agreement of European leaders meeting yesterday in Berlin to put to the G20 PES demands for new and better regulation of financial markets and clamp down on tax havens.

Rasmussen said "It has taken a long time and near financial meltdown for European leaders' to agree that new and better regulation was needed for all players and products in the international financial market, including private equity and hedge funds. It was a demand made by the Party of European Socialists as long ago as 2007, and featured in my report adopted by the European Parliament last September. I am also encouraged that the EU will go to the G20 demanding a clampdown on tax havens, as the level of tax avoidance is supposed to be enough to pay for the Millennium Development Goals to be implemented - which would be a huge stimulus for global economic growth."

"The global approach must not be at the expense of European legislation. We need global action as well as regulatory action in Europe and the US."

Rasmussen pointed out that this week would provide a first test of the determination of European leaders to regulate hedge funds and private equity. "We will find out later this week what the European Commission propose for regulation on hedge funds and private equity in Europe. I have received repeated written assurances from President Barroso that the European Commission will come forward with new regulation but as far as I can see Commissioner McCreevy is still pushing self-regulation for private equity. The industry will also, I believe, launch a new PR offensive this week for self-regulation."

In an article published today in Private Equity News, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen wrote "In May last year, I signed a letter to the then president of the European Council, along with a number of former prime ministers and finance ministers, stating that self-regulation of the finance sector had failed. In no other sector of the industry is this more evident than with private equity. It took some dramatic events last summer to convince my conservative and liberal colleagues in the European Parliament that self-regulation was not the answer, but they are now convinced."

Starting on Thursday 26 February are European Commission hearings on the regulation of hedge funds and private equity to be addressed by President Barroso, Commissioner McCreevy and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen - nearly all other speakers are from industry and more critical voices have been kept to a minimum.

Read the PES resolution on hedge funds and private equity adopted in 2007.

Consult the letter on financial market regulation signed by Rasmussen and other former PMs.

Read more on the Rasmussen report adopted by the European Parliament.

POUR PLUS D'INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Responsable Communications - Médias & Campagnes
Parti socialiste européen, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Bruxelles
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org

PES manifesto in every corner of Europe

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:52:18 +0100

The PES launched its new campaign website – www.elections2009.pes.org - to promote its manifesto and candidates for the 2009 European elections.

The Party also printed its manifesto in four languages – English, French, German and Spanish – in an attractive and colourful format featuring photographs of PES activists with a symbol for the manifesto – a cube with the title of the manifesto and the campaign website address.

The PES also announced a photo competition – inviting people to take a photo of themselves with the ‘manifesto cube’ (downloadable in every EU language from the campaign website) in front of a local landmark or with a local personality.

The campaign website includes
• The manifesto ‘People First: A New Direction for Europe’, initially in four languages and eventually in all EU languages.
• Candidates
• A manifesto film which can be downloaded as well as simply viewed
• A photo competition
• A blog which allows users both to post their own articles and comment on others – offering real dialogue (continued from the PES’ manifesto consultation) unlike the EPP’s misleadingly named Dialogue TV where “dialogue” means being able to send an email to the EPP
• Videos posted by the PES, and its grassroots activists
• Talking versions of the manifesto for the blind – initially in English but soon also in French, German, Polish, Slovak, Spanish and other languages.

The PES also published
• The manifesto - in colour and with photos
• A leaflet on the manifesto as well as a postcard and poster

The President of PES Women, Zita Gurmai said “Today we are launching a campaign to spread the word about our manifesto into every corner of Europe. We are determined to do so because we are proud of our manifesto, we have confidence that our manifesto really does offer a new direction for Europe, a way out of the crisis. The PES manifesto ‘People First: A New Direction for Europe’ represents the progressive way forward for Europe and for its people.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES, said “The EPP and ELDR have no coherent response on financial market reform and the economic recovery. They will be found out. The PES has a plan: coordinated investments in smart, green growth and regulation covering all financial players at European level and at global level. Already our governments have been proposing progressive job creation programmes. We are the only party that is actively putting pressure on Barroso and McCreevy to come forward with concrete proposals at the spring summit.”

“Women risk being the biggest victims of this crisis. First hit by redundancy because they are the most vulnerable, in precarious employment. Already cases are being reported of women shortening their maternity leave because they are afraid of losing their jobs, in spite of the legal protection against this. Women on low pensions relying on their savings are also being hit. The EPP and ELDR do not even mention gender equality in their manifesto texts. The recent Czech Presidency’s attempt to call into question the EU’s child care targets is another example of the right-wing’s fundamentally paternalistic approach to women.”

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

Conservative Czech Presidency faces defeat on child care targets

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:18:57 +0100

Socialist and Social Democratic Ministers from Spain, Hungary and Slovenia agreed they would oppose any attempt to water down or drop EU child care targets.

The Ministers, meeting in Prague before the start of the Informal Council of Family Policy Ministers, agreed that improved child care across Europe was vital for higher educational standards, for opportunity and equality for parents and children alike, and an important means to achieve the EU’s Lisbon Agenda.

Taking part in the meetings were Spanish Secretary of State Amparo Valcarce, Hungarian Minister Erika Sz?cs, Slovene Secretary of State Anja Kopac Mrak, and the President of PES Women Zita Gurmai.

“I am delighted that Ministers from PES member parties will oppose any downward revision of EU child care targets” said Zita Gurmai. “The Czech Presidency might want to cut social and environmental standards but let this little episode be a warning to them. We would support the child care targets in all circumstances but the timing of the Czech Presidency attack on child care targets, at a time of rising unemployment and insecurity, is particularly insensitive and frankly insulting.”

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

European Socialists meet Mahmoud Abbas

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:12:11 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen met the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, with Socialist Group Leader Martin Schulz and French Parti Socialiste Leader Martine Aubry in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen expressed his hopes for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, and his strong support for international monitoring of the ceasefire.

Rasmussen encouraged Mahmoud Abbas not to lose faith in a negotiated and final peace deal between the Palestinian and Israeli people. “I understand that many Palestinians are losing hope in negotiations but we must help restore confidence. The Quartet can do so by securing concrete progress on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank. The nomination of George Mitchell as Middle East special envoy is a welcome step towards restarting serious talks.”

“There needs to be an international presence to maintain the ceasefire” said Rasmussen. “The Israeli authorities must allow food, urgent medical aid and fuel to be delivered to the Gaza Strip through the opening of the crossing points and the lifting of the blockade. The siege must be ended and decent living conditions restored for the Palestinian people.”

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

Kovács is taking the right steps on tax fraud

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:07:40 +0100

The proposals of László Kovács, European Commissioner for taxation and Customs Union, to fight tax fraud in the European Union were warmly welcomed by Hans Eichel, coordinator of the PES Lisbon Network and former German Minister for finances, who promised the support of European social democrats.

Commissioner Kovács wants all EU member states to take active part in the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion by revealing information about bank accounts held by people resident in other countries to the authorities in the country where they live.

Hans Eichel commented “The proposals of Laszlo Kovács are important to end the scandal of tax havens in the European Union. It is fully in line with the resolution of the 20 biggest developed and emerging economies for a new, more just and more stable global financial order.”

Europe must show it is on the side of workers rights

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:01:28 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned that workers would turn against the European Union unless it shows that it is on the side of jobs and workers rights.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The strikes in the UK are just the latest example of growing frustration and fear among workers. Workers are beginning to question the freedom of movement because the European Commission has allowed it to be used to undermine wages and working conditions. The European Commission has done nothing to stop freedom of movement of workers from being exploited to drive down wages, despite repeated warnings. Now they are seeing the results.”

“The freedom of movement of workers – which ought to benefit workers – and indeed does benefit workers in many cases – is becoming unpopular because of the laissez-faire attitude of this right-wing European Commission. The only people who are happy about this situation are the euro-skeptics.”

“There is an easy solution - workers should be employed at the agreed wage levels negotiated between trade unions and employers in the country of work. It’s a simple, effective and everyday practice. It was a huge mistake to let anyone undermine this fundamental principle. It was asking for trouble and is now causing trouble.”

“I strongly support freedom of movement of workers because it has always been considered something that benefits workers and employers alike. We must make sure that this is the case in practice.”

In April 2008 the PES called on the European Commission to “propose all necessary changes to ensure that national, regional and local systems of collective bargaining are upheld within the European Union.” Read more

In December 2007 Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said that Europe had “shot itself in the foot” with the Laval case and said it “could provide cover for bad employers and wage cutters.”

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

EPP rely on usual conservative tax cuts

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:54:16 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen slammed the EPP for proposing tax cuts to solve the crisis. The ‘draft EPP election document 2009’ gives a clear commitment to cutting taxes, although their shorter ‘draft EPP manifesto’ hides any mention of tax cuts or unpopular public spending cuts.

Rasmussen said “EPP tax cuts mean EPP spending cuts. Why don’t they just come out and tell us they want to axe public services? They don’t dare because public spending cuts are the last thing you need at a time of rising unemployment. It is the same old conservative rhetoric, the same old tired ideology.”

“Who will bear the brunt of these EPP public spending cuts? Will it be the unemployed or children at school? Will it be pensioners or those who rely on public transport to get to work?”

Rasmussen added “The truth is that the high-tax Nordic countries are among the most competitive in the world. The taxes pay for the life-long learning, the research and development, the child care which the EPP say they want. How can the EPP pay for life-long learning, for better child care and for more R&D if they cut taxes?”

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen branded the ‘draft EPP manifesto’ for the 2009 European elections as “hypocritical.”

He highlighted five cast-iron cases of EPP hypocrisy:

1. The EPP claim that the financial and economic crisis calls for ‘far sightedness, not ideology.’

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen countered “The EPP’s short-sighted ideological faith in deregulated markets has led Europe into this crisis.”

2. The EPP claim the Socialists want to push nationalization.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen asked “I challenge the EPP to tell me which bank nationalization or bail-out they opposed? Did I miss them calling for Fortis to be allowed to collapse, or perhaps Credit Agricole or maybe the Royal Bank of Scotland? Nationalization was necessary to counter market failure. It is an EPP fantasy that we push nationalization – we do not even mention the word in our PES manifesto. Nationalization is a short-term necessity not a Socialist goal.”

3. The EPP claim they want ‘better and smarter regulation’ of the financial market.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen asked “If the EPP want better regulation why did they keep telling me in the European Parliament that new regulation was not necessary? I proposed new regulation in May 2008 and they kept saying no until September when the collapse of Lehman Brothers made their anti-regulation stance impossible to sustain.”

4. The EPP claim they are committed to ‘reduce greenhouse gases and promote carbon-free energy sources’.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen asked “Why did the EPP spend months trying to water down the climate package if they are so concerned about climate change?”

5. The EPP say they want ‘better child care’. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The PES ran a child care campaign in 2007 to promote the EU’s child care targets. What did the EPP do in the Parliament or Council to work for better child care? They did nothing.”

Wave of fear sweeping across Europe

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:48:17 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today expressed his sympathy with and support for French workers on strike in protest about job losses.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “There is a tidal wave of fear sweeping across Europe. People are worried about their jobs, their pensions and their homes. People say that right-wing governments like Sarkozy’s are very willing to bail out their friends in the banks but are much less concerned about ordinary wage earners losing their jobs.”

“What French workers are doing today reflects the concerns of workers and their families right across Europe.”

“I have said it before and I will say it again - Europe should be taking new and exceptional measures to stop the predicted loss of 3.5 million jobs across the EU this year. These job losses are unacceptable. These are not just statistics or economic trends, we are talking about people with families, with responsibilities, with the hope of giving their loved ones a decent future.”

“The Party of European Socialists has made it very clear that we believe Europe should set a target of maintaining employment at current levels – and that the European Recovery Plan should be made big enough to achieve this objective.”

At a PES leaders meeting on 30 November in Madrid, party leaders agreed that the ambition to “safeguard employment”’ and “promote smart green growth” should “determine the size and components of the European economic recovery plan.”

New measures needed to stop million of job losses, January 2009
Socialists demand ambitious recovery plan, December 2008
PES Leaders declaration on taking Europe out of the crisis, November 2008

PES: don't let the Czech Presidency ditch EU child care targets

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:32:00 +0100

A Czech Presidency proposal to open debate about the relevance of EU child care targets has provoked strong opposition from European socialists.

The proposal is contained in a discussion paper due to be considered at an informal meeting of EU Family Ministers on 5 February in Prague. The paper, while raising all sorts of questions about the targets, does not even acknowledge the possibility of stepping up efforts to fulfill the targets or extending the targets to include qualitative as well as quantitative measures. In 2002 the EU Summit in Barcelona agreed national targets of pre-school child care places for 33% of under three year olds and 90% of children three-school age by 2010.

In 2007 the Party of European Socialists ran a campaign to encourage governments to fulfill their commitment to EU targets for child care places, and child care features in the PES 'Principles for a New Social Europe'.

PES Women Executive issued a statement this week saying they "strongly oppose any watering down of the EU child care targets."

Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women said "The EU should be looking at how it could help member states to increase the quantity and quality of child care, not trying to ditch targets just because some member states are failing to achieve their commitments. It is important that the EU encourages its member states to improve public services."

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "At the start of the Czech Presidency the President of the Czech Republic wrote that the EU should be cutting social and environmental standards. Now we see the Czech Presidency are trying to put that into practice. It is totally unacceptable that the Czech conservatives want Europe to drop child care targets when people are already suffering job and pension cuts. I challenge the European conservatives - the EPP - to say where they stand. Do they want to enable conservative member states to start forcing mothers back to the home or oblige even more working parents to pay for expensive private child care?"

The PES is calling on anyone who cares for child care to protest to the Czech - click here to find out more

New measures needed to stop million of job losses

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:13:26 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned that European families will pay the price if Europe does not do more to fight the recession.

“The outlook is getting bleaker but where are the new efforts of the European Union? President Barack Obama is preparing his investment package, China and Russia are putting serious money into their economies, but is Europe doing enough? It looks like too little, too late and too uncoordinated.”

“Europe should be taking new and exceptional measures to stop the predicted loss of 3.5 million jobs this year. We owe it to the 3.5 million families who will suffer a loss of income. The European Union cannot just passively accept that unemployment will increase this year and next year.”

“I find it hard to accept Jean-Claude Juncker’s satisfied comments that European spending on the recession had gone far enough. He may not be worried but millions of Europeans are very worried. We are in a serious crisis and need to take serious action.”

“For those who are worried about public finances I say if we allow unemployment to increase public finances will get worse, but if we invest in jobs public finances will be better.”

“The PES has already proposed a more ambitious plan than the current over-hyped European Recovery Plan. We need to coordinate investments across Europe, and among all European governments, to create new jobs. And we need to do more at the European level. The EU did a reasonable job coordinating its response to the banking crisis, now it must show an even greater determination to safeguard the job prospects of ordinary citizens.”

While the conservative-led European Commission proposed a growth package of 0.75 percent of GDP for two years to the conservative-dominated European Council, PES party leaders meeting at the end of November in Madrid agreed a declaration “For an ambitious recovery plan to safeguard employment and prevent mass unemployment” that underlined the “value-added of joint and simultaneous action across Europe” and warned that “If we fail to act ambitiously now the recession will be prolonged and deeper, affecting the lives of people all over Europe”.

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

PES President meets with Palestinian and Israeli representatives to discuss Gaza crisis

admin — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:09:53 +0100

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen PES President met with Leila Shahid, General Delegate of Palestine to the EU, and later with Colette Avital, Member of Knesset of the Israeli Labour Party to discuss the crisis in Gaza and the resolution to be adopted by the European Parliament concerning this crisis on 12 January.

Socialists demand clarification on regulation of private equity

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:43:50 +0100

Three leading Socialists have written to Commission President Barroso demanding clarification “on how the Commission proposes to proceed with its commitment to ensure appropriate regulation for private equity.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, Martin Schulz, President of the PES Group in the European Parliament and Pervenche Berès, Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, put the question in a letter handed personally to President Barroso yesterday in response to assurances received from Barroso that “No financial player should be exempt from regulation and oversight. It means that hedge funds and private equity must be covered.”

The three Socialists point out that while a consultation has been launched on hedge funds – which Barroso assures them “is not to decide whether or not appropriate regulatory initiatives will be taken. It is to decide on the content” – Barroso is not clear on what will be done on private equity.

The three socialists write “Commissioner McCreevy told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on 1 December that he will report back to Parliament on industry codes for self-regulation. This is not enough.”

The three go on to say “We do not understand how Commissioner McCreevy’s faith in voluntary codes of conduct for private equity is compatible with the assurances we have received from you.”

They conclude “We underline not only that action is needed, but that it is needed urgently. We expect to have proposals in time for the next European Council of 19-20 March and for Parliament to begin its deliberations before the 2009 European elections.”

Note - In December Rasmussen, Schulz and Berès wrote to Barroso expressing a lack of confidence in Commissioner McCreevy due to his lack of action in response to the Parliament’s demand for regulation covering all financial players including hedge funds and private equity. Barroso replied on 18 December assuring them that hedge funds and private equity would be regulated. The letter given to Barroso yesterday is a follow-up to Barroso’s reply.

Rasmussen to Ehud Barak “End immediately the military operation”

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:30:00 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has sent a letter to Ehud Barak, Leader of the Israeli Labour Party and Minister of Defence, calling him to “end immediately the military operation and ground invasion.”

The letter, while acknowledging that Hamas has “significant responsibility” for the current crisis and condemning Hamas for rocket attacks against Israel, states that the more than 600 civilian deaths in Gaza is “outrageous and disproportionate to the Israeli casualties caused by Hamas rocket attacks.”

Rasmussen writes “The number of innocent children killed and families destroyed is appalling” and that “no one can justify such extreme actions.” He goes on to say “Israel must comply with her obligations under international law” and warns that “the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza is deeply damaging EU-Israel relations.”

The PES President goes on to make a strong case for political rather than military responses to the insecurity in and around Gaza, stating that there are no “military means to end Hamas leadership of the Gaza strip. On the contrary, we are witnessing the rise of even stronger popular support for Hamas in the Palestinian territories and in the Arab world.”

“Only a comprehensive political agreement between Israel and Palestine will create the conditions for peace and security.”

Rasmussen calls for an “immediate ceasefire agreement, as proposed by Egyptian President Mubarak and supported by the EU and the US” with third-party monitoring to ensure compliance, as well as the “complete withdrawal of IDF troops from Gaza”, and lifting of the siege of Gaza “with immediate access for humanitarian supplies and opening of the crossing points.”

“The Israel-Palestine conflict is at the heart of regional insecurity in the Middle East. I am convinced that an international conference should be convened by the Quartet to negotiate a political agreement, with all the players in the region, along the lines of the Arab League initiative and previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements.”

“I urge you to choose the path of the political negotiations in the interests of Israel and the security of the whole region.”

Read the letter

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

No military solution for Gaza

admin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:24:04 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today warned “There is no military solution to the insecurity of life in and around Gaza. Only a comprehensive political agreement between Israel and Palestine will create the conditions for peace and security.”

“There is a real danger that the result of the conflict, in addition to the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis, will be strengthened support for Hamas. Far from ending the violence this current round of conflict could simply increase the grip of Hamas on Gaza.”

“I am appalled by the bloody consequences of the end of the truce between Hamas and Israel. The violence and the military escalation in and around the Gaza strip is a tragedy leading to yet more innocent casualties. The PES condemns both the disproportionate use of force by Israel in the densely populated streets and alleys of Gaza, and the rocket attacks by Hamas aimed at civilians in the south of Israel.”

The PES calls for an immediate ceasefire, for greater EU efforts to stop the conflict, and supports the efforts of the Arab League and Egypt to resume political dialogue with Hamas. The PES supports the idea of a third-party monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with any ceasefire agreement respecting Israeli and Palestinian security interests. A ceasefire agreement should mark the start of the lifting of the siege of Gaza, with immediate access for humanitarian supplies. The PES encourages renewed political dialogue between the different Palestinian political forces and a new power-sharing agreement between the Fatah faction in control in the West Bank and the Hamas leadership in Gaza. The PES also believes that a regional conference should be convened by the Quartet to negotiate a political agreement along the lines of the Arab League initiative.

“The Israel-Palestine conflict is at the heart of regional insecurity in the Middle East. The EU must do all it can to encourage the new Obama Administration to end the state of hostility between Palestine and Israel, and to ensure the creation of a Palestinian state as the building block of a new structure for regional security.”

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

Leading Socialists address Barroso on McCreevy's failure to implement regulation covering all financial players

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:23:06 +0100

In a damning letter to European Commission President Barroso, three leading Socialists – Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (President of the PES), Martin Schulz (Leader of the Socialist Group) and Pervenche Berès (chair of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee) – say they have lost trust and confidence in Commissioner McCreevy due to his failure to implement the demands of the European Parliament for regulation covering all financial players.

Read the letter

Summit important for the world

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:55:35 +0100

Commenting on the outcome of one of the most important European Summits for many years PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "Although the recovery plan is probably only a first step, and the climate package is a compromise, European Governments have made some very important decisions today."

"Europe has today taken part one of a crucial decision on tackling climate change. The climate package now has to be voted on by the European Parliament. It would be wrong to assume the Parliament will support the compromise just because member state governments have done so. The European Parliament must debate the package and take its own vote. With this package Europe has the chance to give our planet a better future in partnership with President elect Obama."

"The recovery plan is an important first step. I remain sceptical as to whether it is enough to prevent a big increase in unemployment. In any case further work needs to be done on a list of common priorities for investment. If investments are not coordinated the spill-over effects will be wasted."

"I welcome the prospect of finding a solution for Ireland and the rest of the European Union on the Lisbon Treaty. We need the Treaty and the proposed declarations on social progress, the protection of workers rights and public services should offer the Irish people the clarity they need."

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

PES Women President honoured by PS France

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:53:02 +0100

9 December 2008

Zita Gurmai, Hungarian Socialist MEP and President of PES Women, has been invited by the French Parti socialiste to take charge of the rights of women in their national committee.

This unique offer was made by new party leader Martine Aubry “as a symbol of our European engagement”.

Martine Aubry – who had already consulted Zita Gurmai about the appointment - told the National Council of the Parti socialiste meeting in Paris that Zita had accepted “with her typical enthusiasm and energy” and thanked her for accepting the position.

Zita Gurmai commented afterwards “It is a huge honour for me and a recognition of the work done by all PES Women. We have put equality between women and men at the heart of the PES, and no doubt this is what Martine Aubry has in mind for the Parti socialiste.”

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “I congratulate Martine Aubry for her far-sighted and symbolically important decision to appoint the President of PES Women to the national committee of the PS. She will never regret that decision because Zita brings enormous ability and passion to the job.”

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

Europe should not let employment levels go down

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:03:18 +0100

3 December 2008

Europe will have 25 million unemployed in 2010 unless Europe acts ambitiously, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned Commission President Barroso today in the European Parliament.

The PES President, returning from Madrid where PES leaders made a statement calling for an ambitious recovery plan to be adopted by the EU at its December Summit, told the Parliament that the European Commission’s proposed recovery plan lacked ambition. Rasmussen said to President Barroso and the MEPs in the chamber that Europe should set a goal of not allowing employment levels to go down, and that this goal should define the fiscal stimulus.

Commenting on the Commission’s recovery plan Rasmussen told Barroso “what I miss is the ambition and true coordination.”

He urged the Commission President to make a scenario for the Heads of Government and State to show them the spill-over benefits of a substantial and coordinated stimulus, and to draw up a timeline and a list of priorities for coordinated investments.

Rasmussen said “we need to invest 1 percent of GDP not only next year but in 2010 and 2011.”

PES leaders meeting in Madrid earlier this week also adopted the PES manifesto for the 2009 European elections including a proposal for a European smart green growth strategy to create 10 million new jobs by 2020.

Read the PES leaders recovery plan statement
Read the PES manifesto “People first: A new direction for Europe”

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

PES Leaders call for ambitious recovery plan to be adopted at December Summit

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:14:57 +0100

PES Leaders, meeting in Madrid, called for an ambitious European recovery plan to safeguard employment and prevent mass unemployment. The Leaders, hosted by Jose Luis Zapatero, want the EU and Member States to adopt this ambitious recovery plan at the European Council of 11-12 December.

Consult the recovery plan

PES leaders declaration on the Lisbon Treaty

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:13:20 +0100

The PES respects the result of the Irish referendum. But the PES also respects the completed ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 23 Member States of the European Union. The PES firmly believes that the ratification process should continue so that all 27 Member States can pronounce themselves on the Lisbon Treaty.

Read the declaration

PES Manifesto: “People first, A new direction for Europe”

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:08:16 +0100

Today the leaders of Europe’s social democratic and socialist parties adopted the PES manifesto for the 2009 European elections.

The PES manifesto “People first: A new direction for Europe” features over 60 concrete proposals including

- A European strategy for smart green growth to create 10 million new jobs by 2020
- New financial market regulation covering all players including hedge funds and private equity
- Climate-changing emission reductions for industries such as transport and construction
- A European Pact on Wages for decent minimum wages in all EU member states
- Stepping up the fight against the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation.

The proposals are featured under six priority areas for reform:

Relaunching the economy and preventing new financial crises
Giving people a fairer deal in a new Social Europe
Transforming Europe into the leading global force against climate change
Championing gender equality in Europe
Developing an effective migration policy for Europe
Enhancing Europe’s role as a partner for peace, security and development

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The conservatives have had a majority in Europe for the last four years. What have they done to make a fairer society? They have ignored the interests of ordinary hard-working families. We want to take Europe in a new direction creating a fairer society and putting people first."

“Our manifesto gives voters a clear choice between the PES and our opponents. A clear choice between a progressive European Union in which member states work together to tackle the economic and climate crisis for the benefit of all the people of Europe, or a conservative European Union which places our future in the hands of the market.”

The PES manifesto was adopted in Madrid by over 232 delegates from 33 PES member parties, and over 300 grassroots activists from all over Europe, including Jose Luis Zapatero, Franz Munterfering, Martine Aubry, José Sócrates, Ferenc Gyurcsany, Alfred Gusenbauer, Sergei Stanishev, Borut Pahor, Gediminas Kirkilas, Jean Asselborn, Carolin Flint, George Papandreou, Mona Sahlin, Elio Di Rupo, Caroline Gennez, Helle Thorning Schmidt, Jutta Urpilainen, Eamon Gilmore, Grzegorz Napieralski, Janis Dinevics, Riccardo Nencini, Yiannakis Omirou, Joseph Muscat, Piero Fassino, Margot Wallström, Martin Schulz and Mercedes Bresso.

The manifesto was drawn up following a nine-month consultation involving over 300,000 visits to the consultation website, some 120 meetings across Europe, over 500 written contributions on-line, and more than 60 formal submissions from NGOs, trade unions, foundations and member parties.

“Our policies are more inclusive than the conservatives” said Rasmussen “and we do our politics in a more inclusive way too.”

Read the manifesto

Network of European Socialist lawyers launched

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:06:30 +0100

The founding meeting of EUSONET - a network of European Socialist lawyers - was held at PES Council in Madrid.

The network, a legal think tank which will combine internet-based discussions with an annual conference and regular meetings of the Governing Board, is open to all members of PES member parties.

EUSONET will discuss current issues of law and security and opened with a discussion at its founding meeting of the Laval and other similar cases regarding collective bargaining rights.

The meeting appointed the chair of EUSONET, Alvaro Cuesta chair of the Spanish Parliament´s Justice Committee, and coordinators Harald Baumann-Haske from the German SPD, and Julia Lemonis-Raptis from the Austrian social democrats SPÖ.

Socialists demand ambitious recovery plan

admin — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:38:41 +0100

30 November 2008

The EU should adopt an ambitious Economic Recovery Plan at its Summit on 11-12 December that is big enough to safeguard current employment levels say the leaders of Europe’s socialist and social democratic parties.

At a PES leaders meeting on 30 November in Madrid, party leaders agreed that the ambition to “safeguard employment”’ and “promote smart green growth” should “determine the size and components of the European economic recovery plan.”

In their Declaration “For an ambitious recovery plan to safeguard employment and prevent mass unemployment”, the PES Leaders call for coordinated action by member state governments and European policies “to complement and enhance joint action amongst national governments.”

The Declaration states “The precise policy mix will vary from country to country, but would follow a common set of priorities.”

Noting that elected President Barack Obama is preparing an ambitious fiscal stimulus and that China has announced a stimulus equivalent to 14 percent of GDP, the Leaders say “Europe must pull its weight – through its own ambitious economic recovery plan”.

Speaking in the European Parliament last week PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned that Europe will have 25 million unemployed in 2010 unless Europe acts ambitiously.

Consult the PES leaders recovery plan statement

Read Rasmussen’s speech in the European Parliament

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

PES expresses concern about new Albanian electoral law

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:18:08 +0100

PES Secretary General Philip Cordery met Ilir Meta, leader of LSI – Socialist Movement for Integration – yesterday in Brussels to discuss the new Electoral Code in Albania, adopted on 18 November.

PES Secretary General expressed his concerns about the effects of the administrative section of the new electoral law which could harm the representation of small political parties in Albania and may cause difficulties at the next general elections. Philip Cordery gave his support to the OSCE call for transparency, pluralism and all-inclusiveness in the running of the election, as outlined in the OSCE/ODIHR report in 2005.

“The PES supports a free, fair, transparent and inclusive electoral procedure in Albania and will follow closely the next general elections in June 2009” said Philip Cordery.

“Albania should continue with social and economical reforms” said Philip Cordery, “and resume its efforts towards the integration of the European Union as a top priority for Albanian political leaders.”

The PES invited LSI leader Ilir Meta to participate at the PES Council in Madrid on 1-2 December 2008.

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

Rasmussen horrified by murders in India

admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:17:06 +0100

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today expressed his horror at the mass murders in Mumbai, India and his relief that his European Parliamentarians were not hurt.

Rasmussen said “It is beyond understanding why anyone would choose to cause such misery and death. It was an appalling and inhuman act. If the murderers were trying to advance some cause all they have done is discredit it through their utter disregard for human decency. My heart goes out to the victims, to their families, and all those who were caught up in the attacks. I hope the Indian authorities are able to bring those responsible to justice, and that they have the full cooperation of all nations in pursuing those responsible. I wish the medical and other services dealing with the awful results of the attacks courage and every success possible in these terrible circumstances.”

“I am relieved that the MEPs who were in India, including PES Presidency member Mia De Vits, were not hurt although it must have been very alarming for those who were in Mumbai.”

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

Two big flaws in EU economic recovery plan

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:27:05 +0100

Commenting on the European Economic Recovery Plan unveiled today, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The Commission has listened to us and is going in the right direction. The recovery plan mirrors the proposals made by PES Leaders as early as 2005 and most recently earlier this month.”

“But the Commission’s plan has two big flaws.”

“The first is that 1.5% of GDP in two years is almost certainly not enough to keep down unemployment. Our calculations are that you need at least 1% of GDP every year for three years to keep unemployment at current levels.”

“The second is that Angela Merkel and other conservative leaders such as Berlusconi may well water down the plan and refuse to make the necessary national investments.”

“There is a real possibility that Europe will be left behind by the scale and speed of the new US Administration’s stimulus and reform packages even if the Commission’s plan is accepted and implemented in full.”

PES Leaders meeting on 5 November agreed a declaration stating “We must act simultaneously to take full advantage of our economic interdependence. Therefore, we need coordinated investments across Europe’s Member States, making sure our recovery plans are an integrated part of common efforts for smart, green growth and jobs and meeting Europe’s climate and energy goals.”

Following that meeting PES president Poul Nyrup Rasmussen met European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to present the views of the PES leaders, and wrote to President Sarkozy urging the Council to agree simultaneous investments.

In October PES member parties called for an “ambitious green growth strategy to jump start recovery and create jobs”.

The PES first advocated a “New growth and investment strategy for decent jobs” in October 2005.

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

Today's choice - What sort of recovery plan asks Rasmussen

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:32:11 +0100

"Yesterday the choice was fiscal stimulus or not, today the choice is what sort of fiscal stimulus" said PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"After the G20 and EU summits there is no debate on whether or not to invest in fiscal stimulus to counter the recession - every government is planning its investments. Today the real debate is the scale of the investment and who benefits."

"We social democrats have a warning - beware conservatives presenting tax cuts for the rich as a stimulus package. We are looking for social fairness - for serious action to keep our employment and jobs. We are looking for investments to create jobs in future needs such as renewable energies, energy efficiency, public transport, training and education, child care and services for the elderly. The fight against increasing unemployment can be combined with meeting our climate and energy commitments. We have an opportunity to create green growth."

"Social democrats are not against tax cuts for ordinary hard working families, or for pensioners or low-income families as part of a wider stimulus package. But not tax cuts for the wealthiest. The latter would only contribute to higher savings and an unfair distribution of wealth as the SPD have rightly pointed out in Germany. This is a clear choice about social justice - between short-sighted old fashioned conservative tax cuts for the better off, and our fairer way for more jobs and protection for the most vulnerable from this recession."

"Beware once and for all stimulus packages. We need large and long-term investments over at least the next three years. Gordon Brown and José Luis Zapatero are showing the way in Europe with smart policies that will create new jobs. The SPD is fighting for the same in Germany while the CDU are just interested in tax cuts which cannot generate new jobs."

"When social democrat and socialist leaders come together at PES Council on 1-2 December we will go for a long term, fair and responsible recovery plan for employment. Ordinary people must not pay the price of a recession caused by the greed and irresponsibility of over-paid financial managers."

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

Gurmai and Rovana Plumb raise awareness on children left behind by parents working abroad

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:32:29 +0100

19 November 2008

Socialist MEPs Rovanna Plumb and Zita Gurmai are on a mission to highlight the plight of children left behind when parents migrate abroad for work.

Romanian MEP Rovanna Plumb - President of the Romanian Social Democratic Women's Organization - organized a meeting in Bucharest to discuss the problem with decision-makers, experts and NGOs. Talking were Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, and many others including the Alliance for Childhood European Network Secretary General Michiel Matthes, the Head of Unicef Romania Edmund McLoughney, and the Federation of NGOs for Children Executive Director Diana Nistorescu.

Although work abroad may be temporary, the impact on the child, usually left with relatives, is often similar to that of the loss of a parent through divorce or death.

In Romania up to ten per cent of all school children have at least one parent away from home working abroad.

“We need to open a serious debate about this problem” said Rovanna Plumb “It is a real and new social problem with potentially serious psychological effects on the adults and parents of tomorrow."

"These children need support services" said Zita Gurmai, "and we need to discuss how to fund such services."

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

Txeroki arrest - blow to Europe's last terrorist group

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:39:40 +0100

17 November 2008

Congratulating the French and Spanish authorities for the arrest of the suspected military chief of Europe’s last terrorist group ETA, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said

“The arrest of the suspected military chief of ETA is good news for the people of Spain and for the whole of Europe. I hope it is a severe blow to Europe’s last terrorist group. The joint operation of French and Spanish authorities which led to the arrest is the sort of European cooperation which we need to intensify, not only to combat terrorism, but also to tackle organized crime and the trafficking of people, drugs and guns. I congratulate the Spanish and French authorities for their cooperation and their success, and I hope we will see many more successes in the future. Terrorists and international criminals must be brought to justice.”

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

No to intolerance in Poznan, Poland and Europe

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:37:11 +0100

17 November 2008

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today condemned the assault yesterday on two PES activists following a demonstration yesterday in Poznan, Poland. Two PES activists were followed and assaulted as they left the demonstration because they were carrying a placard that said ‘Diversity YES Intolerance NO’.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Our activists were attacked because they were demonstrating peacefully for tolerance. I am very glad that they were not seriously injured, and my first thoughts are with them. I thank them for their bravery and I wish them a full and fast recovery from their injuries and their undoubted shock.”

“I also have a message for the cowards who carried out the attack. We will not be intimidated by this violence. Not in Poznan, not anywhere. It will only strengthen our determination to keep making the case for respect for diversity. We will continue to say Diversity YES, Intolerance NO throughout Europe. Intolerance has no place in Poznan, no place in Poland and no place in Europe. The whole point of the European Union is respect between nations and people. Europe has outlawed discrimination between sexes and between races. Those who seek to create divisions and hatred are living in the past.”

For more information

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

G20 must act now despite lame duck President says PES

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:42:46 +0100

14 November 2008

Commenting from New York on the forthcoming G20 summit in Washington, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "Despite the meeting being hosted by a lame duck President, there are some important decisions that can and must be taken. First, it is important to take up Gordon Brown's proposal to coordinate the different economic stimulus packages being put into place across the globe. The US, China, EU member states and others should sit down and coordinate their investments in order to get the biggest bang. This coordination is needed at both global and EU level. It is not about telling anyone what to do, or making any country pay for any other country, it is about making sure our economies maximize the spill over effects of everyone investing at the same time. It would be tragic to repeat the mistake made by Japan when it failed to invest in growth in the 1990s during its banking crisis and ended up in a decade long depression. If we can afford to save the banks we can surely afford to create new jobs for our citizens."

"Second, there needs to be a common direction for national and EU regulation of the financial market. The world can't wait for global regulation, we need regulation in the EU, in the US, in Japan and elsewhere that moves in the same broad direction of ensuring that all players in the financial market are more transparent, have fewer conflicts of interest, do not create excessive debts and do not reward irresponsible risk-taking with vast bonuses. Finally, talks must begin on a new global financial architecture. The PES has a long-term ambition to create a World Financial Organization, a body with real and binding powers rather than the very soft power of Basel II. But this will take long talks and should not divert attention from our immediate tasks of coordinated investment in growth and compatible national and regional regulation of the financial markets."

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has been in Washington and New York this week discussing the crisis with Democrats, academics and senior figures in the financial world including at the IMF. He said "I get a strong feeling that the new administration of Barack Obama will move fast to invest in growth and introduce tougher regulation for the whole US financial market. Bush might try to resist regulation at this weekend's summit but proper regulation is on its way in Europe and America."

"That's why this summit must get global action off to a good start, but the follow up afterwards is essential. I really look forward to President Barack Obama providing some impetus and extra leadership to get things done."

In a little noticed move last week the European Commission published its 2009 work programme with a commitment to come forward before the spring summit with a package of measures looking at the adequacy of regulation, oversight, and transparency of all financial actors and all significant capital market investors, including hedge funds and private equity (see http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/programmes/docs/clwp2009_en.pdf). This follows assurances given by Presidents Sarkozy and Barroso to Poul Nyrup Rasmussen that new EU regulation would cover all financial players

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

EU must respond positively to Steinmeier's proposal for Employment Pact

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:50:17 +0100

13 November 2008

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today warmly welcomed the proposal by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a European Pact on Employment to fight the recession.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “We have not seen the worst of this crisis. As the financial crisis hits the economy we shall see millions of ordinary working families becoming very nervous about their savings, their pensions and their jobs. The PES has been calling for several weeks for much better cooperation on investments and economic policies across Europe to tackle the crisis. I am very encouraged by Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s proposal for an Employment Pact. This is exactly what is needed. It is precisely what really matters – not the fate of a few greedy bankers, but the future of millions of families who depend on their jobs for their hard-earned income. If we can afford to save the banks we must be able to afford to invest in relaunching the economy and safeguarding the livelihoods of ordinary people. Europe has a duty to ensure that its citizens do not pay the price for the greed and irresponsibility of a few financial managers.”

“Cooperation and coordination does not mean making some EU member states pay for other member states, it does not mean telling any member state what to do – it is about making sure we get the biggest impact for our different investments in growth. There are very significant additional benefits – at no extra cost - from making investments in a coordinated and simultaneous way. I urge member states to respond positively to Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s very constructive proposal.”

Consult the proposal

Don't forget the food crisis!

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:57:55 +0100

11 November 2008

PES Development Ministers and Opposition Spokespersons and MEPs, meeting in Brussels ahead of the EU Development Ministers Council, expressed their concern at the alarming speed that the global food crisis is escalating. While the financial crisis is headline news, the food crisis threatens another 100 million people in the world’s poorest countries.

It is feared that some 100 million people will join the existing 850 million people suffering from hunger. Some 22 countries, including Eritrea, Niger, Comoros, Haiti and Liberia are especially vulnerable to the effects of food price rises.

The problem is not food production – since the 1960s world population has doubled while food production has tripled. The simple truth is that many people are so poor they cannot afford food at today’s prices.

Among the actions proposed by the PES to solve the food crisis are:

- An intensification of EU food security diplomacy, including efforts to persuade major oil-producing companies to contribute more to food aid.

- An EU task force to assess the impacts of rising food prices and food shortages

- EU investment in agricultural productivity in developing countries

- EU action to curb financial market speculation on food prices – it is immoral and obscene to profit from hunger

- Work to ensure that agro-fuel production is not at the expense of meeting the demand for food to feed the hungry

- Strengthening social protection systems in regions suffering hunger

Read the resolution on food crisis

PES President letter to French Presidency of the EU on the financial crisis

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:25:56 +0100

Following the emergency meeting of PES party leaders on the financial crisis, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen sent a letter to the French Presidency of the EU, proposing strong coordinated action between EU Member States. The letter - and a declaration agreed by PES leaders - propose coordinated, simultaneous investments to create jobs and relaunch Europe’s economy, as well as regulation of the financial market at EU level. The letter and declaration come just ahead of the EU informal summit on the financial crisis and before the G20 Summit in Washington.

Read the letter

Change has to come to Europe too

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:36:39 +0100

6 November 2008

Commenting on the election of the President of the USA Barack Obama, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “President Obama said last night that change has come to America. We in the PES believe it is also time for change in Europe. Europe and American face the same challenges to stop recession, create new jobs and tackle climate change. We need urgent action now to stop the recession damaging the lives of ordinary families. Today PES Party Leaders meeting in Brussels will discuss our plans for change to come to Europe, and to halt recession. We are ready to deliver change, and have a concrete plan. We see the prospect of renewed strong cooperation with the USA to work – as Barack Obama so memorably put it – ‘toward the hope of a better day’.”

Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women said, “The victory of Barack Obama shows there is a new and different America out there. The dreams of a progressive majority have been realized. It will inspire us in Europe to make a new and different Europe, where all people can have hope and opportunity.”

Today PES party leaders meet to discuss action to re-launch the European economy and new regulation of the financial market. Taking part in the meeting in Autoworld will be Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Alfred Gusenbauer, François Hollande, Piero Fassino, George Papandreou, Elio Di Rupo, Caroline Gennez, Jiri Paroubek, Margot Wallström, Martin Schulz, John Monks, Diego Lopez Garrido, Ivalyo Kalfin, Vladimir Spidla, Laszlo Kovacs, Alex Bodry, Zoran Milanovic, Dainis Ivans, Zita Gurmai, Janos Veres, Joan Burton, Illka Kantola, Vittorio Craxi, Gary Titley, Ieke van den Burg, Marek Siwiec, Adrian Severin, Josep Borrell, Karl Heinz Klar, Alban Maginnis and Giacomo Fillibeck.

Leaders arrive at 12 midday,
• informal press briefing at 12.15 with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and John Monks
• press conference at 16.30 with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Francois Hollande.

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

PES Leaders discuss financial and economic crisis

admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:32:14 +0100

Europe’s social democratic, socialist and labour parties gathered in Brussels - ahead of the EU informal summit on 7 November. They agreed a declaration setting out the action needed to re-launch the European economy and new regulation of the financial market.

Taking part in the PES Leaders Emergency Summit were Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Alfred Gusenbauer, François Hollande, Piero Fassino, George Papandreou, Elio Di Rupo, Caroline Gennez, Jiri Paroubek, Martin Schulz, Vladimir Spidla, John Monks, Diego Lopez Garrido, Ivalyo Kalfin, Laszlo Kovacs, Alex Bodry, Zoran Milanovic, Zita Gurmai, Janos Veres, Joan Burton, Illka Kantola, Vittorio Craxi, Ieke van den Burg, Marek Siwiec, Josep Borrell, Karl Heinz Klar, Elisa Ferreira, Alban Maginnis and Giacomo Fillibeck.

Read the declaration adopted by the Leaders

Watch the photos

Commission recovery framework - unambitious

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:41:16 +0100

29 October 2008

Commenting on the European Commission communication ‘From financial crisis to recovery – a framework for action’ PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “European citizens need coordinated action now to stop unemployment and create new jobs. Instead they get an unambitious plan from the European Commission with no clear commitment for action now. The action it does promise is delayed until later. It is far too little for the scale of the crisis we are facing.”

“Events – including national government actions - are moving faster than the European Commission. It needs to act now if it is going to coordinate, and create synergy between, national Government recovery plans. But there is nothing about coordinating national recovery plans. There is nothing about the role of the Eurozone. There is nothing about how to implement improved supervision of the financial markets except the setting up of yet another working group. There is no commitment to new regulation covering all financial actors including hedge funds and private equity, despite the fact that the Parliament has called for it and Sarkozy and Barroso already agreed to it.”

“For a ‘framework of action’ it neither frames much nor contains enough action.”

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

Spain should take part in world financial crisis summit

admin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:43:29 +0100

28 October 2008

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today said it was absurd to exclude Spain from the G20 world financial crisis summit scheduled for 15 November.

“Spain should be there” said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “We are not going to convince the world to take concerted action if key players are ignored. It is absurd to exclude Spain from the upcoming meeting of the G20 on 15 November. Instead of excluding, we should be including one of Europe’s most important economies. It is time to stand together in order to strengthen our common efforts to tackle the financial crisis and avoid a recession in Europe and worldwide.”

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

Czechs vote for social democracy

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:46:45 +0200

24 October 2008

The PES congratulates the Czech Social Democrats – CSSD – for their stunning success in regional elections last weekend, and wishes them further success in the second round of the Senate elections this weekend.

The CSSD has, for the first time in its history, swept the board in the regional elections. None of the Czech Republic’s 13 regional governments can be formed without the participation of the Social Democrats. This weekend Czech voters could give the CSSD the balance of power in the Senate. For the people of the Czech Republic it would offer a safeguard against unpopular government health cuts. For Europe it would prevent the conservative ODS (the main governing Party of Prime Minister Topalanek and climate-skeptic, euro-skeptic President Klaus) from rejecting the Lisbon Treaty in the Senate.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The Czech people want social democracy. They are tired of the conservative government and they reject conservative moves to cut public services. The CSSD and their leader Jiri Paroubek are the only credible alternative to the divided and discredited conservative government.”

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

Europe's socialists agree to make roadmap to avoid mass unemployment

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:32:47 +0200

16 October 2008

Europe’s socialist, social democratic and labour parties today resolved to draw up a “roadmap” for “urgent action” to avoid “long-lasting recession” and to “prevent mass unemployment”.

At a meeting in Brussels PES member party representatives called for “proactive investments across Member States, including in productive infrastructure, education and climate change. Europe needs an ambitious green growth strategy to jump start recovery and create jobs.”

The PES also agreed that “The financial markets excessive and risky debt, excessive remuneration, conflicts of interest, and lack of transparency are all the result of a lack of regulation” and adopted seven steps towards “a sound regulatory framework” for the financial markets including:

1. Universal legislation covering all financial players with supervision across the financial markets reinforced;
2. Transparency and disclosure including of debts;
3. Mandatory ‘capital requirements’ for all financial players;
4. Rules to prevent excessive borrowing;
5. Limits on pay and remuneration, and mechanisms to ensure that earnings reflect losses as well as profits;
6. New rules to prevent conflict of interests;
7. Protecting workers interests such as ensuring that employees are informed and consulted during all takeovers including leveraged buy-outs.

“Preventing the financial meltdown was the first urgent step. Now we must urgently take action on a second stage: to build better regulation and do all we can to avoid the financial crisis turning into a long-lasting recession.”

Read the resolution

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

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Social Democratic PMs commission roadmap for financial market reconstruction

admin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:37:56 +0200

15 October 2008

Socialist Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers, meeting today in advance of the EU Summit, asked the Party of European Socialists to draw up common proposals for new financial market regulation.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "What the summit looks set to agree is necessary but not enough on its own. Today our governments must coordinate emergency rescue, but Europe also needs plans to build a sound framework to regulate the financial market and avoid large-scale unemployment. So while our Prime Ministers are putting out fires to prevent a meltdown the PES will work on a common direction firstly for new financial market regulation and secondly to prevent financial crisis turning into an unemployment crisis. Europe can and must take the lead while working closely with the US - precisely what the Party of European Socialists has been doing with US Democrats for the last year and a half."

"Despite the conservative majority in Europe, it is Social Democrats who have taken the lead. It was José Luis Zapatero who called the emergency EU meeting and Gordon Brown who provided the action plan. In the European Parliament socialists led conservatives kicking and screaming into agreeing demands for financial market reform that they had previously been refusing. The conservatives in the Presidency of the European Council are running around like headless chickens while the conservatives in the European Commission are like rabbits caught in the headlights."

"The reason is clear - the only solution to the crisis is social democratic. The conservative belief that everything can be left to the market is dead and buried. The conservative don't have an alternative. What the world needs is the classic social democratic deal - free market economy balanced by fair rules for social justice. The financial market is not a force of nature, but a human construction which need to be made to serve the needs of our real economy, and give people confidence in their jobs, homes, savings and pensions now and in the long-term. As we have always said - Europe is more than a market."

The PES now plans to call an emergency meeting of all its 33 member party leaders in early November to discuss the crisis and the longer term implications.

Those who took part in the PES meeting today were Gordon Brown, Alfred Gusenbauer, Ferenc Gyurcsany, Gediminas Kirkilas, Sergei Stanishev, Wouter Bos, Jean Asselborn, Frans Timmermans, Elio Di Rupo, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Margot Wallstrom, Joaquim Almunia, Javier Solana, Martin Schulz.

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
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Summit needs to open three fronts to fight crisis

testuser — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:45:56 +0200

3 October 2008

Speaking on the eve of Sarkozy’s mini summit on the financial crisis, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES and author of the report on financial market reform adopted last week by the European Parliament, said that Europe should tackle the financial crisis on three fronts simultaneously – emergency measures to calm the immediate financial crisis, action to prevent a recession, and reform of financial market regulation and supervision.

Rasmussen said “The European Union needs to pull together and tackle the crisis on three fronts simultaneously. Firstly, there needs to be a broadly common approach to saving the system from collapse. A broadly common approach allowing governments to response according to national circumstances but within EU rules and in a way that is complementary. Secondly, and at the same time action is needed to prevent financial crisis turning into a recession. People are already worried about their savings, their pensions and their insurance. We don’t want people in fear for their jobs too. Europe needs to work intensively together in their economic policy to promote intelligent investments to boost growth. We need investment in smart, green growth – with new jobs in renewable energies, energy efficiency, new public transport infrastructures. If our member countries do this at the same time we can limit and even turn round the risk of a recession in Europe. Thirdly, while all that firefighting is going on Europe must not lose sight of the need for better regulation.“

Rasmussen reminded President Sarkozy and European Commission President Barroso of his own proposal – made last May – for a world financial summit. In May 2008 Poul Nyrup Rasmussen was one of nine former Prime Ministers to sign a letter to Sarkozy and Barroso stating “This financial crisis shows all too clearly that the financial industry is incapable of self-regulation. There is a need to improve the supervision and regulatory frameworks for banks. There is a need to revise the regulatory frameworks for investment vehicles.” It also proposed a “World Financial Conference in order to rethink the rules of international finance and the governance of global economic issues.” Read the letter.

For more on the proposals of the Rasmussen report for financial market reform see here.

Parliament adopts Rasmussen report calling for new regulation of financial markets

admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:40:55 +0200

The European Parliament today passed the Rasmussen report on new and better regulation of financial markets - calling on the European Commission to make legislative proposals by the end of the year covering “all relevant actors and financial market participants, including hedge funds and private equity”.

The proposals include:

• Mandatory capital requirements for all financial institutions;
• Aligning reward packages with longer term outcomes, to reflect losses as well as profits;
• Full transparency of high level executives and senior managers’ renumeration systems;
• Disclosure of leverage/debt exposure, source and amount of funds raised, and identification of shareholders (above a certain level) for all investment products (and therefore including hedge funds and private equity) to investors and public authorities;
• Extending the Directive obliging employees to be informed and consulted during takeovers to include leveraged buy-outs;
• Measures to “avoid unreasonable asset stripping in target companies”;
• Action to avoid excessive debt caused by leveraged buy-outs, so that “the level of leverage is sustainable both for the private equity fund/firm and for the target company”;
• Employees or staff representatives of pension funds be informed on how their pensions are invested and the associated risks.

The European Commission is obliged to respond to the report, and has always come forward with proposals in the past when requested in this way by the Parliament.

“We need new and better regulation, and we need it now” said PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “The proposals agreed today by the European Parliament would be a first step towards making future crises less likely."

"It is the first time that the European Parliament has ever demanded regulation of private equity and hedge funds."

"Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has got to respond, and respond positively. With millions of families worried about their savings and pensions it would be very unwise to remind us that until very recently he believed that self-regulation was best. The financial crisis has forced the conservatives in the European Parliament to accept sensible reform, now it is the turn of the European Commission to prove that they no longer believe that the market alone knows best.”

Today Poul Nyrup Rasmussen was presented by a petition signed by over 100,000 people calling on European, US and world leaders to strengthen financial market rules. Organized by the global internet movement Avaaz the petition states "We urge you to take a lead in fixing the fundamental flaws and loopholes which made the global financial crisis possible, including basic problems of debt and risk, incentives and transparency. We need you to work together to protect the public good by framing stronger rules for all parts of the global financial system. Be bold, and we will support you."

The Party of European Socialists has been working on financial market reform for over 18 months. For more information click here

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org

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PES condemns vicious criminal ETA attacks

admin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:06:09 +0200

22 September 2008

Condemning the three ETA car bombs in Spain in recent days, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, said "These vicious criminal attacks have no place in the 21st century European Union. Ours is a Europe of peaceful cooperation and democracy. Our response will be to stand firm against violence, our response will be cooperation between Member States using all the judicial, police and legal means at our disposal. Our response will be to be more determined than ever to defeat violent extremists."

"On behalf of all European socialists and social democrats I offer our solidarity and sympathy to all victims of the bombings. I offer our solidarity and sympathy to the people of Spain in facing - and in stopping - this violence."

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org

Borut Pahor - The Prime Minister who will unite

admin — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:19:18 +0200

21 September 2008

Commenting on exit polls that give the Social Democrats a clear lead in today's Slovenian elections, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "Congratulations to Borut Pahor and the Social Democrats. Borut Pahor is the Prime Minister that Slovenia needs. He is the best leader for the country because he is the leader who unites. He is the leader who understands that responsible economic policy must be combined with good social policy. He will make sure that nobody is left behind. He is the leader who can see Slovenia through the world financial crisis."

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

Borut Pahor - The Prime Minister who will unite

testuser — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:54:53 +0200

PES supports 50/50 campaign for more women at the top

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:45:17 +0200

Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, who is taking part in the European Women’s Lobby campaign launch today, said “It gives me great pleasure to support the European Women’s Lobby 50/50 campaign. We need more women at every level of European politics, including at the top. It has been a disgrace to see how few women were ever mentioned in all that talk about people supposedly in the frame for top EU jobs. I think it made people realize that something needed to be done to promote the involvement of women. The EU is not a men’s club.” PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “Equal representation of women and men in political life is an important principle for socialists and social democrats. The PES is doing all it can to promote women in politics – as we are to achieve broader equality between women and men. There is still a long way to go, including within our own movement. We must, and we will, make progress towards equal representation of women and men in European politics.” PES 50/50 facts • Its statutes commit the PES to “seek internal equality and equal representation of men and women in our bodies and meetings”; • The Spanish Socialist Government has a majority of women, and 10 out of 25 members of the British Labour Government are women; • Half the candidates chosen by the UK Labour Party for the 2009 European elections are women; • In Italian elections this year 30 per cent of those elected for the new Partito Democratico were women; • The focus of this year’s PES Women’s Conference – taking place in Madrid on November 29 – is Women in Politics. The PES encourages its activists and member parties to support the campaign by adding their names to the campaign website www.5050democracy.eu

Free Zakia Dhifaoui

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:11:26 +0200

16 September 2008

The PES today condemned the jailing of Zakia Dhifaoui for taking part in a peaceful demonstration in Tunisia, and called for her immediate release.

Zakia Dhifaoui, a member of the Democratic Forum for Work and Freedom, was jailed for four and a half months following her arrest in July.

The President of PES Women, Zita Gurmai, said “Zakia Dhifaoui is one of thousands of Tunisians making a peaceful case for freedom, democracy and social justice. She should never have been detained and never have been condemned to a prison sentence.”

Philip Cordery, Secretary General of the PES, said “We say the Union for the Mediterranean should not have its headquarters in Tunis until Zakhia and others like her are freed, and Tunisians enjoy basic democratic rights.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
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julian.scola@pes.org

Step forward for better regulation of financial markets

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:42:43 +0200

10 September 2008

The European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Committee today passed a resolution calling on the European Commission to make legislative proposals covering “all relevant actors and financial market participants, including hedge funds and private equity”. The proposals include mandatory capital requirements, and reward packages to reflect losses as well as profits.

The resolution is a compromise between the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, the conservative EPP and the Liberals on a report by PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said “Finally the door has been opened for regulation covering all financial actors including private equity and hedge funds. This marks the end of the regulation-free ride of private equity and hedge funds.”

“It could only be achieved with the agreement of all major political parties in the European Parliament. I am very satisfied that we have got everyone on-board with this compromise. It is a fair compromise and a first real step for better regulation.”

“For the Party of European Socialists and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament this represents the first big step to reduce the risk of further financial crises. But it is only a first step. The debate, and the fight for better regulation will not stop here.”

Among the proposals contained in the report are:

“Capital requirements should be mandatory for all financial institutions”;
“Reward packages should be aligned with longer term outcomes, reflecting losses as well as profits”;
“Principles of disclosure to investors and to relevant public authorities” for “investment products, including alternative investment vehicles” to include “leverage/debt exposure”, “source and amount of funds raised”, “full transparency of high level executives and senior managers’ renumeration systems” and “registration and identification of shareholders beyond a certain proportion”;
The rights of employees to be informed and consulted during takeovers should apply “whenever control of the undertaking is transferred by any investors, including private equity and hedge funds”;
Measures to “avoid unreasonable asset stripping in target companies”;
Action to avoid excessive debt to cover leverage for private equity so that “the level of leverage is sustainable both for the private equity fund/firm and for the target company”;
Employees or staff representatives of pension funds be informed on how their pensions are invested and the associated risks.

The report is due to be voted on by the whole Parliament in October.

Social package - Too little too late

admin — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:27:29 +0200

2 September 2008

Commenting on the social package presented to the European Parliament this morning by Commissioner Vladimir Spidla and French Minister Xavier Bertrand, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES, commented

“This is too little too late. I applaud Vladimir Spidla for persuading the conservative European Commission to agree this modest package unveiled towards the end of its mandate. We support the fight against discrimination in all its forms, we agree with trying to strengthen works councils, we back more and better social dialogue. But much more needs to be done if the European Commission is serious about renewing Social Europe. A small step in the right direction is no longer sufficient for Europe. We need a much more ambitious programme to invest in growth, create jobs, tackle the financial crisis and stop social dumping. Instead we have a modest package of useful but relatively minor reforms.”

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

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Denver - PES was there

admin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:15:40 +0200

1 September 2008

The Party of European Socialists was well-represented at the US Democratic National Convention where Barack Obama was nominated Democratic Presidential candidate.

The PES was represented by Ruairi Quinn, PES Presidency member and Treasurer, and Philip Cordery, PES Secretary General. PES member parties had high level representatives including Mona Sahlin, Leader of the Swedish Social Democrats; Eamon Gilmore, Leader of the Irish Labour Party; Caroline Gennez, Leader of the Flemish Socialists SPa; Lilianne Ploumen, Chair of the Dutch Labour PvdA; Ivailo Kalfin, Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Hubertus Heil, Secretary General of the German SPD; Eero Heinäluoma former Leader of SDP Finland; Josef Kalina, from SPÖ Austria, Ed Miliband MP from the UK Labour Party; Juan Fernando López Aguilar from Spanish Socialists PSOE, Nicolai Wammen from SD Denmark; and many others as well as Walter Veltroni, Leader of the Italian Partito Democratico.

PES participants were hosted by the Chair of the National Democratic Committee Howard Dean. They had a full agenda and took part in the International Leaders Forum (ILF) organised by National Democratic Institute, meeting with prominent policy makers and politicians, including Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Many also took the opportunity to meet other progressive American organisations such as ‘Take Back America’ and the trade union AFL-CIO.

PES Secretary General Philip Cordery said “The European socialists and social-democrats support Barack Obama for President. His ‘Plan for America’ is a progressive agenda which we believe would bring many benefits to the American people and to the world.”

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

Tunisia under scrutiny says PES

admin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:13:18 +0200

1 September 2008

The PES today underlined its support for the women and men who are struggling bravely for freedom, democracy and social justice in Tunisia, and called for the release of activist Zakia Dhifaoui and other detainees.

The President of PES Women, Zita Gurmai, said “European Socialists are particularly concerned about the situation in the mining area of Gafsa where there has been police harassment and a number of arrests in recent months of women and men campaigning against corruption and bad working conditions.”

“As the EU becomes more engaged with in the Union for the Mediterranean you can be sure that European Socialists will be looking to encourage and support those who want to improve democracy, rights and social justice in every country of the Mediterranean.”

“President Sarkozy of France might be more interested in pursuing the economic benefits of Union for the Mediterranean but we Socialists think that solidarity with people fighting for their rights is just as important, and that new social, environmental and political links across the Mediterranean are needed alongside new economic ties.”

“If the Secretariat of the Union is to be in Tunis” said Zita Gurmai “there will be a special responsibility on Tunisia to respect its people’s rights. Tunisia will be under scrutiny. I call on the Tunisian authorities to release human rights activist Mme Zakia Dhifaoui, who was arrested in July 2008 and is still being held in custody. She must be freed now along with all others who are being detained for peaceful protest and democratic activism in Tunisia.”

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

Barack jam for Obama

admin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:16:36 +0200

28 August 2008

PES Activists from Hungary are producing and selling apricot jam to show their support for Barack Obama.

‘Barack’ means apricot in Hungarian – spelt exactly like Obama’s first name - so PES activists made apricot jam in the eastern Hungarian town of Tallya labelled ‘Barack for Obama’ to show their support for the Democratic Presidential hopeful.

Matyas Gati, one of the organizers, said “This is a fun way of making a serious point. Barack Obama is very popular in Hungary because he is so charismatic and because he offers a real alternative to the Republicans who have made such a mess of things in America and abroad. We also wanted to show that we PES activists share the same democratic values and aspirations as Mr Obama. He embodies the principles and values we want to promote as PES activists. We support his ideas for change and the attitude of his politics.”

Funds raised from selling the jam is going to local charities tackling child poverty.

Now Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, has been presented with the ‘Barack for Obama’ jam in Brussels which she will share with her European Parliamentary colleagues. “I know there is lots of Obama merchandising but Hungarian ‘barack’ jam must be the most original. I am very proud that it was PES activists who came up with the idea. It shows that PES activists are people with the best ideas.”

The Party of European Socialists – which brings together all Europe’s socialist, social democratic and labour parties – launched PES activists to give individual members of its member parties a chance to become more involved in European-wide politics and campaigning. Over 10,000 party members have joined PES activists and there are city groups in many countries.

Watch ‘Barack for Obama’ jam video here

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

Sócrates right to bring Portuguese divorce law into line with modern expectations

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:22:27 +0200

20 August 2008

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today praised the efforts of the Portuguese Socialist Party – and Prime Minister José Sócrates – to modernize Portugal’s divorce laws – and slammed conservative President Cavaco Silva for vetoing it.

“Blame-free divorces are a standard feature of modern, European societies. Marriage and divorce are questions of individual choice. No-one should be trapped in a marriage that they do not want. It is a fundamental principle. He is simply standing in the way of progress. I give my full support to the PS and Prime Minister José Sócrates in his efforts to bring Portuguese social law into line with modern expectations.”

“We have seen the same types of fight in Spain and in other European countries including at the EU level. Social Democrats and Socialists fighting for better rights and a fairer society and the right doing all they can to stop it. It is important that voters see what is going on.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, 1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394
julian.scola@pes.org

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Fight against tax fraud and tax havens looking promising

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:50:08 +0200

4 August 2008

“The present business model of banks and tax havens, which so readily accepts tax fraud and even promotes it and profits from it, has no future”, said the president of the Lisbon Network of the Party of European Socialists (PES) and former German Finance Minister Hans Eichel in a public statement today in Brussels and Berlin. In his declaration, Hans Eichel made a reference to the scandals involving two banks from Liechtenstein, which Germany is currently investigating, and the Swiss bank UBS, the practices of which are being examined by both the US Congress and US Attorney. Hans Eichel added: “If the Americans now join the fight against tax fraud and havens with all the means available to them, the issue takes a whole new dimension with totally different opportunities for success.” Eichel also announced that the PES Lisbon Network is going to intensively work on this topic. He called on Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other tax havens in Europe to stop protecting tax evaders and to cooperate with the tax authorities of other countries, as decided by the OECD. The USA and most of the European countries have been doing so for quite some time.

Read the original version

PES calls for dynamic Socialist International

admin — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:18:10 +0200

4 July 2008

In a video message to delegates at the Socialist International congress in Athens PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said we needed “an effective, dynamic, viable, visionary Socialist International.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said that rising food prices, financial crisis, climate change created a “new global challenge” where a “strong progressive agenda” was needed.

He asked “Have we ever seen, after we created our nation states, so much power concentrated on the financial markets?” and affirmed the need to “bring the powerful forces on the financial market into the democratic room.”
“We can only do that together.”

Watch the video

Last chance for Barroso to present progressive Social Agenda

admin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:32:54 +0200

1 July 2008

Commenting on the European Commission's long-awaited "Social Agenda", due to be published tomorrow including proposals on anti-discrimination legislation, cross-border access to health services and European Works Councils, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said

"The Social Agenda is the European Commission's last chance to show that Europe is more than a market, to show that it cares about the everyday concerns of European citizens. Tomorrow will show us how far the conservative-dominated Commission is willing to go."

"In the past the EU has made a real contribution to increasing workers rights, to equality between women and men, but under the current conservative Commission these issues have dropped far down the list of priorities. Recent judgments by the European Court have created confusion about the right to collective bargaining, while the incoming French Presidency have not made social issues a top priority."

"Can we hope for proposals that put people first? Can we hope for strong new action for equal rights for women? Can we hope for better workers rights through stronger European Works Councils? Can we hope for proposals that put people first without costing member states too much on health treatment abroad? The Commission President still has a chance to surprise us positively."

"It's Barroso's last chance in this Commission's last year."

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

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Pressure mounts on conservatives in European institutions for financial market reform

admin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:47:18 +0200

11 June 2008

Pressure is mounting on conservatives in the European Parliament and Commission to abandon their hard-line opposition to improved regulation of global financial markets. Calls for reform are coming from both sides of the Atlantic and from senior conservatives including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the US Administration.

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls in today’s Financial Times for a European credit ratings agency – a demand already put forward by PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen in his report to the European Parliament which is being fiercely resisted by some conservative MEPs;

• A recent US Department of the Treasury report “Blueprint for a modernized financial regulatory structure” by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson proposes a new regulatory structure for financial institutions including a Federal Financial Services Provider "to incorporate a wide range of financial services providers, such as broker-dealers, hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, and mutual funds" which would set standards such as net capital requirements and public disclosure;

• The President of the European Commission’s three predecessors – Romano Prodi, Jacques Santer and Jacques Delors – have all now given their support to the letter urging President Barroso to respond more decisively to the global financial crisis. The letter, which now has the backing of nine former Prime Ministers, three former European Commission Presidents and six former Finance/Economics Ministers, states “This financial crisis shows all too clearly that the financial industry is incapable of self-regulation. There is a need to improve the supervision and regulatory frameworks for banks. There is a need to revise the regulatory frameworks for investment vehicles.” It also proposes a “World Financial Conference in order to rethink the rules of international finance and the governance of global economic issues”;

• The President and Chief Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Timothy Geithner, proposed in an article published earlier this week “more exacting expectations on capital, liquidity and risk management for the largest institutions” and claimed that “the regulatory framework cannot be indifferent to the scale of leverage and risk outside the supervised institutions”;

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen commented “Conservatives in the European Parliament and Commission are on their own in resisting financial market reform. Senior conservatives on both sides of the Atlantic support reform, but not Commissioner McCreevy or conservative members of the Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Committee. Why conservatives in the European institutions are still holding out against sensible reform is impossible to understand. They are certainly not helping the financial markets by pretending it is still possible to escape regulatory action.”

“The US Treasury’s proposal for hedge and private equity funds is very significant and has been largely overlooked in discussion of Paulson’s plan. He has proposed exactly what Charlie McCreevy and some European Parliament conservatives are desperately trying to avoid, which is to make hedge and private equity funds play by the same rules as everyone else. Pressure is mounting for sensible reasonable, and at some point the pressure will be irresistible.”

In his report currently before the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Committee PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen proposes a comprehensive set of measures to promote greater financial stability, ensure more transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and reduce excessive debt. Instead of 27 different sets of national rules Rasmussen proposes one single European framework that would boost the financial market, jobs and economic growth. His proposals include:

• A ‘single entry point’ into a single European financial market with a European Union framework for transparency, registration and authorization for managers of hedge and private equity funds;
• Reducing the danger of extreme risk taking and excessive debt by introducing new ‘capital requirements’ – like those that already apply to mutual funds, banks and insurance companies;
• Ensuring the viability of our private companies through protection against capital depletion;
• A European Union Public Credit Agency – an independent, conflict-of-interest free credit rating agency to introduce much-needed competition into the credit rating industry;
• A European Financial Supervisor covering all financial sectors to increase cooperation between national supervisory bodies and oversee cross-border and European-wide activities.

His report has received strong support from the trade union movement. In a statement issued on 2 June the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD said “trade union leaders from OECD countries, including representatives of major European trade union confederations, declared jointly with the European Trade Union Confederation their support for the recommendations laid down in a report on hedge funds and private equity which is to be discussed this week before the Committee on Economic Affairs of the European Parliament.” ETUC Secretary General John Monks is quoted as saying “Politicians must do the right thing and support the recommendations of the Rasmussen report.”

The PES has been pressing for some time, and since before the current financial crisis, for action on the alternative investment market which in recent years has gone from niche to a major mainstream player in the global financial market. In November last year all PES member parties adopted a resolution calling for more transparency, more effective taxation and leverage limits, while in December 2007 Socialist Employment Ministers expressed concern about the impact of hedge and private equity funds on jobs and workers rights.

Meanwhile thee level of loans involved in leveraged buy outs continues to rise this year, despite the credit crisis, sharply increasing the risk of company defaults according to a report issued this month by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s.

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

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Three of Europe’s social democratic parties have just elected new, young leaders

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:26:08 +0200

In the far north of the EU, Finland’s Social Democratic Party elected a woman – 32 year old former teacher Jutta Urpilainen – as its new leader.

In the far south, the Malta Labour Party elected 34 year old Member of the European Parliament Joseph Muscat to lead the party.

Meanwhile in Poland the SLD - Democratic Left Alliance - elected 34 year old Grzegorz Napieralski as its new leader.

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “It is encouraging to see a new generation ready to take our social democratic parties into the future. I warmly congratulate Jutta, Joseph and Grzegorz on their election as party leaders and I wish them every success. We need them to succeed. I offer them every encouragement and support, and look forward to welcoming them into our European political family at the next PES leaders meeting.”

“With the challenges facing Europe and the world today social democracy is needed more than ever before. The election of new young leaders sends a very positive signal to Europe’s citizens.”

Barack Obama - Hope for Americans and Europeans alike

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:17:56 +0200

10 June 2008

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen expressed his total support for Barack Obama to win the next US Presidential elections.

“The US Democrats are making history by choosing Barack Obama as their candidate” said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, “Obama is the choice for change and renewal. He gives hope to millions of Americans and Europeans for a fairer world.”

“Restoring the international reputation of the US Government, and healing the wounds within American society, after 8 years of George W. Bush, are among the tasks facing the new President. Progressive Europeans are united in hope that Barack Obama will be the new President following the US elections on 4 November.”

“The world needs a Democratic administration to work with Europe to meet our common challenges - climate change, food crisis, financial crisis, conflicts especially in the Middle East. The US and the EU, acting together, can make a new and positive international agenda.”

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen also had praise for Hillary Clinton. “She too has helped to rekindle hope among Americans and Europeans alike.”

The PES will send a delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August 2008.

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

PES Development Ministers call for development aid timetable - and immediate action on global food crisis

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:56:00 +0200

29 May 2008

Socialist and Social Democratic Development Ministers adopted a declaration calling on the European Union to adopt a timetable for increasing development aid and take immediate action to tackle the global food crisis.

The Development Ministers, meeting at the Party of European Socialists, declared their “strong commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals” and expressed regret that EU development aid actually decreased this year. They called on EU Heads of Government to adopt a clear timetable for achieving the increase of development aid to 0.56% of Gross National Income by 2010.

The PES Ministers’ declaration also called for immediate action to tackle the global food crisis including
• An increase in emergency aid to prevent starvation;
• An EU contribution to the $500 million needed to avoid a reduction in UN World Food Programme food rations;
• The European Commission to propose measures to prevent speculation on food prices.

Signatories of the declaration include Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, Coordinator of the PES Development Ministers Network and German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development; Leire Pajín Iraola, Spanish Secretary of State for International Co-operation; Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister for Development & Cooperation; Josep Borrell Fontelles, Chair of the European Parliament Development Committee; João Cravinho, Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Gareth Thomas, UK Parliamentary under Secretary of State for International Development; Laszlo Varkonyi, Hungarian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Alain Hutchinson, PES Group coordinator in the Development committee in the EP; Charles Josselin, Senator, former French Development Minister; Petra Bayr, MP, Austrian Social Democrat Spokesperson on Development; Luciano Vecchi, PES Presidency Member in charge of Development; Kent Härstedt, MP and SAP Spokesperson on International Development Cooperation.

Read the full declaration

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

Financial markets can not govern us! - Letter to the EU Presidency

admin — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:49:05 +0200

21 May 2008

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Michel Rocard and Daniel Daianu launched an initiative by leading individuals from different political families to get the European Union to get the European Union and the international institutions to respond more decisively to the global financial crisis. Eight former Prime Ministers, two former European Commission Presidents and six former Finance/Economics Ministers signed letters to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council and to French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Letter to the Slovenian President

Letter to the French President

PES Leaders pose ‘Europe Day’ question: What sort of Europe do you want?

admin — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:19:31 +0200

9 May 2008

To mark Europe Day on 9 May, PES leaders Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Zita Gurmai, issued a challenge for a more political debate on European Union policies and future direction.

"Whether you are for or against Europe” said PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen “is yesterday’s debate. No one can seriously doubt that the European Union has played a big role in establishing peace, democracy and prosperity in Europe. No one can seriously doubt that the European Union has a big future role in helping us to tackle challenges that individual nations cannot deal with alone, such as globalization and climate change.”

“The real debate is what sort of European Union do we want?” said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “For me the fundamental question is do we want a European Union where the market is king, or do we want a social Europe where the free market is combined with social justice and environmental sustainability? I do not believe that today’s European Union - with its conservative majority among EU member Governments, in the European Parliament and European Commission – pays enough attention to social justice or environmental sustainability. European citizens feel increasingly insecure about rising prices, about their jobs and their pensions, about their and their children’s future. European leaders need to do more to ensure that workers and their families benefit from globalization. European leaders need to do more to give workers and their families a sense of security and confidence.”

“There is a political fight going on. The European Union is a not a bureaucracy, it is not a set of buildings or institutions in Brussels, it is a political debate about how to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of our countries. It is not different in that sense from the Danish Folketing, the British Houses of Parliament or your local Town Hall. On Europe Day I give the pledge of the Party of European Socialists to make that political choice ever more clear in the run up to the European Parliamentary elections next year.”

“The Lisbon treaty will modernize the EU’s decision-making” said Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women “and provides the tools to enable us to improve social justice and environmental sustainability in the European Union. That is why European socialists and social democrats campaign for ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. But we need to go beyond the new Treaty because the Treaty does not tell us what decisions need to be taken now and in the future. Here there is a fundamental political choice.”

“We need to spell out new policies for Europe that recognise European citizens’ aspirations and concerns for the future” said Zita Gurmai. “We know that the European Union can and does improve people’s lives, as shown by the right to paid holiday and parental leave for workers across the EU, and the protection of public health by banning dangerous chemicals. The Party of European Socialists states, on Europe Day, its unequivocal commitment to develop a new people’s agenda for Europe for the next European elections in June 2009.”

The PES is conducting an open consultation on progressive priorities and policies for its manifesto for the next European elections. This consultation, which last until the end of June 2008, allows party members, trade unions and civil society to contribute to the PES’ orientations for the European elections of June 2009. The on-line consultation has received over 200,000 visits. The PES manifesto for the European elections will be adopted in November 2008 in Madrid at a meeting of all member parties. More on the manifesto consultation here.

EU is Serbia's destiny

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:59:33 +0200

30 April 2008

Commenting on the signing of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said:

“Serbia’s destiny is to be a member of the European Union, and no Serbian nationalist can deny it. The signing of the Association Agreement is a first step of enormous significance.”

“Boris Tadic deserves our congratulations for leading his country to this historic moment. There can be no justification now for Serbia to retreat into nationalism. Serbia is on a road into the European Union that will bring great benefits to its people and to its future. Boris Tadic has done so much to earn our wholehearted support in the Legislative elections to be held on 11 May.”

“I welcome the compromise made by Belgium and the Netherlands to accept the Agreement despite Belgrade's failure to hand over war crimes suspects.”

“The PES has long supported the entry of all countries of the western Balkans into the European Union. We will continue our efforts to encourage the development of social democratic parties in the region as well as more cooperation between governments and parties in the region.”

Foreign Affairs ministers from the EU's 27 member states signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia, but it will not be ratified until Serbia co-operates fully with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

Complacency over economic management would be fatal warns Eichel

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:51:46 +0200

30 April 2008

The Party of European Socialists has put forward its recommendations for improving the economic management of the European Union, currently under review by the European Commission. Ten years after the launch of economic and monetary union – and five years after the introduction of Euro notes and coins – the European Union is taking a fresh look at how it is being handled.

PES recommendations include:
- A European Growth Initiative aimed at developing new and future drivers for jobs and economic growth (such as renewable energies, energy efficiency, clean technologies). To help finance the Initiative a special ‘European Growth Bond’ should be issued, helping also to reduce the excess global demand for euro denominated investments which contributes to the excessive strength of the Euro;
- The Eurozone should speak with one voice in international institutions such as the IMF and World Bank;
- A more active dialogue between ECOFIN, the European Central Bank, and trade unions and employers, including informal meetings with the Euro group of finance ministers.

PES Lisbon Network Coordinator and former German Finance Minister Hans Eichel said “Economic and monetary union has been a stunning success and Europe can be proud of the way it has been managed. But complacency would be fatal. We are facing a global financial crisis and a downturn in economic growth. There will be difficult times ahead. Europe needs to do much more to create economic growth and more jobs, and to play a stronger role in world economic affairs.”

No Med Union HQ for Tunisia unless it commits to democracy & rights

admin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:14:31 +0200

29 April 2008

Commenting on President Sarkozy’s visit to Tunisia, where he is reported to be going to propose to have the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said:

“If democracy and human rights is going to be an important part of the Union for the Mediterranean – and I believe they must be – then Tunisia is a poor choice for the headquarters. I am open to the idea of putting the HQ in the southern or eastern Mediterranean, but Tunisia has a bad record when it comes to freedom of the press, to freedom of association and harassment of legal opposition political parties.”

“The European Union has been too quiet for too long about the situation in Tunisia. It has not made any serious demands for democratic progress. It seems to have been willing to keep quiet as long as the Government managed to keep the country under control. That seems to have been the European Union’s line not only towards Tunisia but also to the rest of North Africa.”

“The Union for the Mediterranean must be a vehicle for democratic change. I call on the forthcoming French Presidency to take the opportunity to make this a reality. My appeal to President Sarkozy is propose another country for the HQ unless Tunisia makes a real, concrete and determined commitment to freedom of the press, freedom of association, more democracy and human rights.”

“The European Union can and must encourage positive change. The only way to do so is to show the consequences.”

The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean is due to be chosen at the European Council in July, at the start of the French Presidency, with the participation of Mediterranean Heads of State / Government.

The EU’s first framework for cooperation with the Mediterranean region was the ‘Barcelona process’ launched in 1995 with the aim of creating peace and democracy throughout the Mediterranean region as well as closer economic and cultural ties between the EU and all Mediterranean nations. The PES believes that the proposed Union for the Mediterranean must maintain the same emphasis on the original ‘Barcelona process’ aims.

PES condemns seizure and detention of French Socialist by Hezbollah

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:16:04 +0200

28 April 2008

The seizure and detention by Hezbollah of Karim Pakzad, a member of the International department of the French Parti Socialiste, was strongly condemned by the Secretary General of the Party of European Socialists, Philip Cordery.

Karim Pakzad was seized by Hezbollah on Saturday 26 April and held for over five hours in a dark cell in the suburbs of Beirut.

He was abducted in South Beirut by armed men linked to Hezbollah after attending the Socialist International Mediterranean committee meeting in Beirut on 25-26 April.

“I strongly condemn the abduction of Karim Pakzad” said Philip Cordery. “It shows once again that Hezbollah is working against the establishment of the rule of law in Lebanon. A free, independent and sovereign Lebanon requires the disarmament of all armed groups. Only the police and army should control of the streets of Lebanon.

He also expressed regret at the detention of a member of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) who was showing Mr Pakzad around the city.

Philip Cordery took part in the Socialist International Mediterranean committee meeting in Beirut, and took part in meetings with PSP Leader Walid Jumblatt, , Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry and Maronite Patriarch Sfeir.

Only the Partito Democratico can achieve the Italy Italians deserve

admin — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:29:57 +0200

9 April 2008

In a message to Walter Veltroni and the Italian Partito Democratico, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said "I give my full support to the Partito Democratico and to the leadership of Walter Veltroni."

"The people and the families of Italy - from Lombardy to Sicily - need a new Italy. Italians have so much vitality and creativity but they have been badly let down by the political system. They need a new hope. They need a Government that works as hard and as effectively as ordinary Italians do."

"I believe that the Partito Democratico is that hope. The Partito Democratico is a political renewal, a fresh start. It is a new home for progressive Italians where historic distinctions, no longer relevant today, can be left behind."

"The Partito Democratico is offering Italy a new generation of politicians. I am delighted that hundreds of new candidates are standing for the Camera and Senate, that nearly half the candidates are women, and that many are under forty years old."

"The Partito Democratico stands for an Italy where everyone has a fair opportunity to have a good life - and without marrying a millionaire. It stands for an Italy where the future is not a source of fear but a time of opportunities ahead. This is the Italy that Italians deserve, and only the Partito Democratico can achieve it."

"A new Italy is the hope of all Europeans. I wish Walter Veltroni and the Partito Democratico every success on their 'giro d'Italia' and every success in the elections."

Read PES President message (Italian only)

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