Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 09:33
by
desmondotoole 
in European democracy & diversity (532 views and 5 comments)
Immediately
following the NO vote in the recent Irish referendum activists
from the Irish Labour Party, French Parti Socialiste and others
have set up PES activists Dublin. We were
already planning such an initiative but the referendum result
gave added urgency to our work. We recognise that this is
potentially a defining moment in Ireland's relationship with the
EU and as a consequence in the structure and dynamics of Irish
politics.
The inaugural meeting of PES activists in Ireland was held on
Tuesday 24th June in the Labour Parliamentary Room in Leinster
House, Dublin - the home of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament). We
met below a mural which showed the early and more modern leaders
of the Irish labour movement grouped around an image of Marianne
leading the French people in the Revolution of 1830. Ireland's
republicanism and our socialism owe much to the example of the
French revolutions and meeting beneath this mural was our way of
paying homage to that tradition.
Our aim is to build European Left politics on the ground in
Dublin. Since June, more than 70 activists have joined our city
group. There is enormous interest both in Dublin and across
Ireland in what we are proposing. PES people are "on the move" in
Ireland! Two events in particular have brought in extra
members:...
Published Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 14:34
by
franciscopolo
in European democracy & diversity (337 views and 0 comments)
At the same time
I start
writing this article the ratification process for the Lisbon
Treaty is starting at the Spanish Parliament. I can hear the
Foreign Affairs Ministry starting his discourse...
Probably (no to say “for sure”), tomorrow the Spanish newspapers will show on their front pages the results of the Spain vs. Russia soccer game at the Eurocup. The matter of the Treaty will also be shown in those newspapers but it will not be given so much importance.
As you probably know, the Lisbon Treaty is important due to many things: The Fundamental Rights Chart becomes binding, the Treaty creates a common space of liberty, security and justice (it was formerly intergovernmental), the EU gains in its capability to create an international interlocution by creating both the positions of the permanent President of the European Counsel and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, among other things. But there is something much more important.
This Treaty is specially important because it makes the EU to be more democratic. It creates the civil initiative so a million of citizens will be able to suggest the creation of new rules; the European Parliament, our direct representative in the EU gains power and almost nothing can be...
read morePublished Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 09:39
by
negrescuvictor
in European democracy & diversity (365 views and 2 comments)
Most of European
countries confront themselves with the problem of bringing
youngsters to vote at the different elections. Regarding European
elections the stats are similar to the other elections even knowing
Europe normally speaks more about the future of our societies.
Involving youngsters in the European project and inside the socialist parties is becoming a more and more difficult task even know many of the PES member parties have chosen to promote younger leaders or building special information campaigns. The question is to find a way in interesting youngsters in politics and in the European project.
PES activists Romania has participated at a debate in Bucharest on this issue and came to a general conclusion: the need of appealing and the necessity of offering new solutions to the next generation of social problems. It become clear to us that European themes have to been translated in a language understandable for everyone and this is a task that the PES has to assume.
There are social groups excluded by European politics because of its high level of specialization or simply by the lack of time and this is a task socialists have to complete. On the other hand we have to create new topics for our societies and mainly youngsters and attract the public opinion’s attention on them. We have to stop waiting...
read morePublished Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 12:11
by
Desmond O'Toole
in European democracy & diversity (441 views and 2 comments)
Three wise men
(yes, men, I'm afraid!), step forward, button up their jackets and
prepare to argue the case for Lisbon. In this photo are the leaders
of the three largest parties in Ireland. From left to right are
Eamon Gilmore of the Labour Party (PES/PSE), Taoiseach Brian Cowen
of Fianna Fáil (UEN) and Enda Kenny of Fine Gael (EPP-ED). They
appeared at a joint press conference yesterday to make a united
call for a YES vote and today, the last day before the
referendum, I'd like to inform everyone of the YES
campaign.
When I described the NO campaign yesterday I talked about the lessons that we need to learn about how disconnected a large minority of citizens are to the EU and the need to put the real benefits of EU membership to our citizens rather than spend so much time discussing institutions and processes. However, I noticed in the Irish Times this morning that Daniel Cohn-Bendit (G-EFA) has joined Bernard Kouchner in attacking Irish democracy. He is reported as calling the Irish ungrateful to Europe, our referendum a "folly" and that, "... if one says NO, one leaves Europe." It is precisely this sort of language and these sorts of threats that socialists and social democrats across Europe must avoid when addressing European citizens. It is precisely...
read morePublished Friday, May 30, 2008 at 16:21
by
jose reis santos
in European democracy & diversity (456 views and 0 comments)
What can we do to change this? It is important to keep on the track of the idea expressed on the «European Democracy and Diversity» paper that suggests that the PES should present a candidate for the European Commission Presidency selected amongst all the PES national parties.
The European campaign caravan idea should also be encouraged. This campaign would be lead by the PES candidate for the European Commission Presidency and by several candidates to the EP coming from different European countries. The caravan should have a political rally in all the countries holding elections so local candidates would join it and campaign together. Another interesting idea is the one that recommends a more intense political miscegenation between PES parties.
Advantages are evident: the concept would be appealing to media and it would be much easier to present a Portuguese candidate to the Italian electorate.
We want to create an electoral European level to complement national elections. This European electoral...
read morePublished Friday, May 23, 2008 at 11:23
by
Zita_Gurmai
in Save our planet (618 views and 0 comments)
I represent the
Hungarian Socialist
Party (MSZP) in the European Parliament. MSZP took the PES
manifesto consultation very seriously. We have had a series of
debates in the country-side of Hungary and invited our activists
for an online consultation in their own language, thanks to
Edit Herczog, a colleague of mine in the European Parliament who
took the leading in the MSZP presidium. I think the Internet is a
very important means for reaching our grassroots. MSZP has also
sent representatives to Brussels to meet and discuss with PES
President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.
In the Hungarian debate one very important topic turned out to
the environment: how can we ensure more commitment in Europe to
make sure that our grandchildren will grow up in a clean and
healthy environment? My colleague in the European Parliament,
Gyula Hegyi, successfully took the lead on the debate on ‘Save
our planet’.
The MSZP also have a number of other recommendations for the PES
manifesto:
Published Friday, May 23, 2008 at 08:05
by
Editor
in Save our planet (826 views and 0 comments)
Today from 9:30 you
are invited when politicians, experts and PES activists will
meet in
Stockholm to debate the Save our
planet theme of the PES manifesto consultation! If you're
living outside Sweden you can follow the debate via web streaming
from the website of the Swedish Social Democratic
Party. A completely free and eco-friendly way to participate
in the PES manifesto consultation!
Among the speakers are:
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 12:32
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (632 views and 2 comments)
read more
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 12:14
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (523 views and 0 comments)
Big news for socialists in Spain! PSOE, the Spanish socialist
party, has launched a new online meeting place for
Spanish-speaking activists: Europeo, Socialista y Orgullos de Serlo (European,
socialist and proud to be so!).
The new website is the place to be if you want to keep updated on
PES activists Spain and the Spanish debate on the PES manifesto
consultation!
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 16:39
by
alias77
in New Social Europe (529 views and 0 comments)
On the occasion of Europe Day (9 May 2008), over 100 Romanian PES activists,
academics, Romanian MEPs and the President of PSD, Mircea Geoana
took part in a debate in Brasov, Romania. The Secretary General
of PES, Philip Cordery engaged in discussion on the PES manifesto
consultation.
The main conclusion was that the European left should come with
an alternative solution to the right’s proposals that only split
up the society. The left should counter it or adopt a mediating
strategy. The activists showed great interest in getting involved
in concrete actions to reshape the left and bring it in the
forefront of the political stage. The left should better
communicate its goals, thus by leaving out the too politically
correct speeches and the 'wooden language'. The commitments and
actions need to be expressed better, in order to reach the common
people. The common language must be recaptured and allow the left
to better connect to its electorate.
The full article is available only in Romanian here!
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 10:36
by
Editor
in New Social Europe (524 views and 1 comments)
Last Wednesday
evening around 18h30. In the renovated Brigittines chapel in
Brussels Sp.a co-workers are getting nervous. This
evening we present our input for the PES manifesto. We have
worked hard to provide for an interesting program (attached), but
can it compete with the beautiful spring evening?
At 7 o’clock our fears prove to be unfounded. Sp.a International
Secretary Saïd
El Khadraoui can introduce the evening before approximately
80 people. We kick off with a debate about New Social
Europe. Europe has done pioneering work on certain domains,
but it turns out that a lot more can be gained at European level.
For example, the health services directive that we are still
waiting for. There is no discussion about the need for a more
social approach of the Lisbon objectives. But ambitious and
enforceable European objectives concerning social themes are a
logical next step. The conclusions run parallel: Europe has a lot
of instruments at his disposal, but lacks ambition and
decisiveness when it comes to social themes. Political action
pays off, that becomes clear in dossiers such as the adjusted
Bolkenstein directive. As...
Tags: democracy, energy, environment, health, political parties, transparency, treaty, welfare
File:
manifesto_spa_FR.pdf,
flyer_spa.pdf
Published Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 17:27
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (641 views and 0 comments)
Yesterday Flemish
social democrats concluded their debate on the PES manifesto. Over
the last month Sp.a, the Flemish social democratic party, has hosted
four debates on the themes of the PES manifesto consultation –
yesterday evening was the closing event, a final discussion of
common priorities for the 2009 elections.Published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 13:52
by
eromerof
in European democracy & diversity (864 views and 1 comments)
But all this would be just another subjective comment if women were not constantly forced to prove themselves and if they were not there merely out of a simple strategy of political marketing. In addition, women must also prove their worth and show that they are not just puppets. In our society, in most cases, women must adjust...
read morePublished Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:07
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (1152 views and 12 comments)
Published Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 12:36
by
brianfrombrussels
in European democracy & diversity (863 views and 1 comments)
Hello comrades and
friends,Published Friday, April 4, 2008 at 11:58
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (935 views and 1 comments)
This week
communication experts from Europe’s socialist and social democratic
parties met in Brussels to debate the campaign for the 2009
European elections. 50 dedicated campaigners met to share ideas on
how to campaign together as one political family.Published Monday, March 31, 2008 at 09:36
by
cafeneaua.politica
in European democracy & diversity (901 views and 4 comments)
In the last time I have participated in some interesting left
civil society and social democrat debates, under the PES
Activists auspices at Oradea and Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The
quality of the subjects and on the other hand of the speakers and
listeners prove again that “the left” has a very good future in
Romania and probably in Europe.
1. The Oradea debate subject:
”Parliamentary bureau - The feed-back connection with
citizens”
2. The Cluj-Napoca debate subjects:
”Is the Romania a success example for different cultures
joining?”
Published Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:50
by
AnneSofie
in European democracy & diversity (821 views and 1 comments)
Among the activities
of the gathering of Scandinavian PES activists in Jørlunde,
Denmark, was a discussion group on the PES manifesto theme 'European democracy and diversity':Published Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 08:58
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (736 views and 1 comments)
Labour UK is the
first party to submit its suggestions for the PES manifesto. Find
the contribution in the documents section of
Yourspace. Here you’ll also find contributions from an array of
NGOs and labour unions.
read more
Published Monday, March 3, 2008 at 10:06
by
Editor
in EU in the world (683 views and 0 comments)
Speaking at a PES
fringe meeting at Labour Party Spring Conference in Birmingham on
Saturday British Foreign Secretary David Milliband said “the
PES manifesto is an opportunity to mark a new stage in the way we
think of European politics."Published Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 13:44
by
rikkeindenmark
in European democracy & diversity (1066 views and 0 comments)
This weekend stands a
good chance at becoming a turning point for the PES activists movement!Published Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 15:34
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (1014 views and 1 comments)
Good news from
Hungary! MSZP,
the Hungarian Socialist Party, has launched their own consultation website
and invite their members to discuss the PES manifesto in Hungarian.
The site looks great and there's already debates going on. If
you're a Hungarian speaker don't hesitate to visit the new website!
read more
Published Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:05
by
negrescuvictor
in European democracy & diversity (861 views and 3 comments)
Published Monday, February 18, 2008 at 15:58
by
jonworth
in European democracy & diversity (1023 views and 6 comments)
Rather than political ideology as such, I would like to
start my posts as 'blogger of the week' here at Yourspace with
some reflections about campaign tactics ahead of the 2009
European elections, for it strikes me that this election offers
more prospect for interesting uses of the internet than any other
election fought anywhere in Europe to date.
First of all, the very existence of Yourspace is the most radical departure from what has happened prior to previous European elections - Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, forums, YouTube etc.) allow centre-left activists from across Europe to participate in policy discussions prior to the elections. We're of course profiting from the achievements of Ségolène Royal's Désirs d'Avenir in the 2007 Presidential Elections - her site demonstrated what's possible - but for EU-wide policy discussion there's simply no way to organise it other than online.
Secondly the Treaty of Lisbon, and its ongoing ratification, give 2009 added significance. Not only will the European Parliament elections take place, but a new Commission team will be chosen, and for the first time there will be a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (aka EU...
read morePublished Friday, February 1, 2008 at 12:50
by
Editor
in New Social Europe (1475 views and 4 comments)
The Spanish Socialist
Party, PSOE, has launched its manifesto for the
Spanish general elections on 9th March. It happened at a conference
this Saturday at which PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen declared
“We cannot have a Social Europe without a Social Spain”!Published Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:01
by
raphi sternfeld
in European democracy & diversity (911 views and 0 comments)
The turnout of the elections in the German region Hessen has
shown that targeted left policies pay out.
Nevertheless it is clear that progressive policies have to be
combined with a certain amount of pragmatism. What counts in the
eyes of the voters is the factor of trust. In the framework of
this European election campaign, we social democrats should only
be promising what can be realized. We must not fool the voters.
Let’s concentrate on our core issues like social equality,
education and secure pensions.
Furthermore we clearly need to take distances from every form of
right wing populism. If we manage to lead a good and convincing
election campaign, we will have a realistic chance to make a good
result. Our capacity to mobilize the members of our movement will
be decisive. The participation in the elections will be quite
low. We might succeed. Now our task is to come up with reliable
content - this will enable us to fight for a New Social
Europe!
A German version of this post is attached.
Tags: EU, political parties
File:
Raphi_Sternfeld.pdf
Published Friday, January 25, 2008 at 10:30
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (993 views and 1 comments)
Published Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 09:30
by
mochinho
in European democracy & diversity (963 views and 0 comments)
For our manifesto we have to keep in mind the subject of justice
and home affairs. If the Reform Treaty entries into force the
European Parliament will be co-legislator in justice and home
affairs. This means that the European Parliament will be more
responsible for the public order. Furthermore Europol is to
become a European agency and will be funded from the EU budget
from January 2010 on. It is also possible that the Treaty of Prüm
will be introduced into the legal framework of the EU; not to
forget the enlargement of the Schengen space in December last
year.
Concerning these subjects there are a lot of concerns related to
civil liberties and security. The manifesto should therefore pick
these up and give social-democratic/socialist solutions. We
cannot leave the topic of justice and home affairs to law and
order hardliners. Justice and home affairs is a genuine
social-democratic/socialist subject.
Published Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 10:13
by
Soren Winther Lundby
in European democracy & diversity (964 views and 1 comments)
We need a ‘democratic infrastructure’ in Europe. This
should be a top priority for PES. To be short:
The Union and the member states will have to invest in a
‘democratic infrastructure’ that will make it easier for citizens
to meet face-to-face in cross border political meetings.
Top politicians and business people have the structures and the
funding that makes it possible for them to conduct cross border
political networks. This is good and fine, we should be in favour
of that.
The problem is that most citizens do not have this kind of
opportunities. 9 out of 10 Europeans never discuss politics with
citizens from other countries! This is what we have to
change.
PES should suggest that the EU and the member states invest €2
per citizen per year in a democratic infrastructure. We need true
European political parties and a thriving European civil society.
Unfortunately, these things will not drop from the sky. This is
why PES should suggest a European democratic infrastructure.
By the way, we also have to elect our PES candidate for the post
as president of the European Commission. This we have to do
before the end of 2008 (in January 2009 the European Council will
elect "their" president)
Published Friday, November 30, 2007 at 11:38
by
together
in European democracy & diversity (1207 views and 3 comments)
European political parties can play an important role in shaping European democracy and therefore they should play an important part in our manifesto theme on European Democracy and Diversity. In order to start a discussion, I would like to present two short texts. One is a translated paragraph from the new SPD (German social democrats) manifesto "Hamburg Programme". It is taken from the chapter "Democratic Europe". The second text is composed of a few paragraphs drawn up by me.
1.) This is a quote from the German social democrats on "Democratic Europe":
European democracy requires a European public scope. European media, organizations of civil society, social partners, but even strong European political parties are indispensable for this. Our aim is to develop the Social Democratic Party of Europe to become a functioning members’ and program party. We are favouring the elaboration of a program of social democratic principles for Europe. In the elections to the European Parliament we want to present a pan-European candidate.
If you are interested in reading the whole chapter, you can download the SPD "Hamburg Programme" here
2.) This would be my...
read morePublished Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 12:10
by
yoan.abiven
in New Social Europe (1318 views and 2 comments)
Pour une
politique européenne commune de l’immigration!
- afin que la libre circulation dans les Etats de l’Union,
garantie aux migrants légalement installés, se fasse dans le
respect des droits fondamentaux et à égalité de droits avec tous
les résidents de l’Union,
- qui réponde aux intérêts économiques et démographiques de
l’Union
- qui accroisse son rayonnement à l’étranger.
Diagnostic
Les Etats européens, aux frontières intérieures désormais
effacées, confrontés à la nécessité d’une coopération renforcée
en matière d’immigration, doivent aller au-delà et construire une
politique commune d’immigration. Il serait catastrophique que
l’UE apparaisse comme une forteresse close entourée de hauts
murs.
Objectifs
La politique commune d’immigration devrait se fonder sur les
points suivants:
Garantir les droits fondamentaux aux migrants légalement
installés sur le territoire de l’Union, en particulier le droit à
une vie familiale stable, ce qui...
Published Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 20:05
by
jose reis santos
in European democracy & diversity (1127 views and 0 comments)
I haven’t seen any
news coverage of last week's PES Council in Sofia, so I don’t know what
spin the media made of it. From my perspective it was a success.
Everybody already knows about the weather conditions that
prevented a full house plenary and the presence of more high rank
officials; but, even thought, the level of the discussions and
the quality time available more than compensated this unfortunate
event.
The funny thing is that I’ve been told that the airport was build in that location by German engineers in World War II, exactly because of the fog condition - it would make the place easy to defend and invisible to enemy attacks.
The political contribute of this PES Council was very intense, as the Manifesto 2009 took off with attention and strength. Most of the plenary interventions were in accordance to the four main issues – Save our planet, New Social Europe, European democracy and diversity and EU in the world – with some very good ideas and interventions....
read morePublished Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 15:21
by
Editor
in In the spotlight (957 views and 1 comments)
When European party leaders, delegates and PES activists gather
tomorrow morning you will be able to watch their debates online.
The plenary debates and the two press conferences will be brought
to you as near-live streaming via the PES main homepage.
Here’s what to view – please keep in mind that the sessions will
be broadcasted with a delay of approximately one hour. All
indications of time are GMT+2.
Thursday 22 November
09.00 Press conference
09.30 Opening of Council
10.15 Debate 1: The EU on the international scene: Promoting
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