Brussels, 04/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 28 February, the European Democratic Party (EDP) adopted its manifesto for the future European elections, and it will appoint its candidate on 12 March to succeed current European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, the EDP states in a press release.
Meeting in Brussels, around 60 representatives from delegations from Italy, France, Germany, Slovakia, Cyprus, the Basque Country, Poland, Romania, the Canaries and San Marino agreed on a roadmap - the theme of which will reportedly be “the recasting” of the EU. “To defend the spirit and revive the European ideal, Europe needs to be changed” said Francesco Rutelli, the co-leader of the EDP. EDP secretary general, Marielle de Sarnez, stated that it was important “to defend for tomorrow a more democratic and more effective Europe”.
The EDP was joined by a German delegation on 28 February, led by Bavarian parliamentarian Gabi Schmidt from the Free Voters party, and by a Slovakian delegation led by the parliamentarian Igor Hrasko. These delegations could enter the European Parliament in May.
The EDP manifesto contains the following points: “the political integration of the eurozone”; restoring European production “on a large part of the territory”; “defending the European social model”; promoting a strategy “for energy self-sufficiency and security”; re-asserting the need “to defend the planet and the fight against climate imbalances”, a single presidency for the European Commission and Council; opening Council debates on major themes to the public; a European foreign and security policy; “a fair and effective fight against tragedies resulting from illegal immigration”; reform of the CAP; “fighting against all forms of discrimination”; and “promoting cultural and linguistic diversity”. (SP)