Brussels, 23/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - After last-minute cancellation of the press briefing that customarily follows the meeting of European Socialist leaders before the European Councils, the Party of European Socialists (PES) told heads of state and government during the afternoon of Thursday 23 June of its hopes and expectations. “It is not Europe that is the problem but rather the Conservative dominance of it” which, with its “obsession for austerity and cuts, has left behind the needs of Europe's people”, said the PES leader, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen of Denmark. The PES therefore suggests an “alternative strategy” to address the economic and financial crisis, a “strategy based on investment and modernisation”. “We must move from economic chaos to responsible economic governance. But the actual proposals before the European Council will not deliver this”, Rasmussen said, deploring the fact that, “after 18 months, the Conservative majority is still giving the wrong answers to the economic, social and moral challenges put before it”. The PES proposes, among other things, the creation of a “solidarity mechanism for the countries hardest hit by speculators”, as well as a “mechanism for common management of a determined part of public debt”. Socialists also call for a tax on financial transactions to be introduced.
Martin Schulz, who heads the Socialist Group (S&D) at the European Parliament, felt it was time for leaders to show proof of “courage and unity in tackling the crisis”, saying: “We need not less Europe but more Europe. We need more courage, backed up with European resources, to overcome this crisis”. He called for a tax on financial transactions to be introduced, and was severely critical of rating agencies, saying: “Who is behind them? Who pays the rating agencies for their ratings?” Politics must resume control of public matters instead of leaving the road free for speculators and powerful businesses, Schulz said. “The heads of state and government must have the courage to get back control over the commanding heights of the affairs of state. They can only do that if they are agreed. They won't do that if they each go their separate ways”, the German MEP said. Schulz concluded in a particularly earnest tone, saying: “Either we can weld Europe together or the unification of Europe will be in real danger. If the European Union falls apart, it is not just a political union that will collapse - the demons of the 20th century, who so nearly destroyed this continent, will be back among us very soon”. (H.B./transl.jl)