Brussels, 27/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The S&D Group in the European Parliament has condemned recent attacks against French and Italian Socialist parties, which have been the target of extremist acts. “Last week saw several violent attacks against the offices of brother parties in France and in Italy. The Democratic Party has been attacked for its proposals to extend citizenship to migrants on the basis of jus soli (right to citizenship based on place of birth) and the headquarters of the Socialist Party in Paris was attacked following a demonstration against gay marriage which turned to violence”, said group leader Hannes Swoboda, who described these acts as “extremely worrying” in a press release.
The Austrian leader lamented the fact that both parties had been attacked because they “defend civil liberties and progressive values”. He also criticised certain Conservative governments, which he said “played a populist blame game, stigmatising migrants”. (SP/transl.fl)