Brussels, 03/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - “A New Path for Europe” is the slogan chosen by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the demonstrators responding to its call during the demonstration on Friday 4 April in Brussels.
Each spring, the EU holds its traditional summit on the EU's socio-economic situation, to which the unions respond by organising a “Euro demonstration”. On Thursday 3 April, Bernadette Ségol, the secretary general of the ETUC stated that, “the reason why we are demonstrating and demanding a new path for Europe based on investment, quality jobs and equality” is that “austerity is not working. Austerity has caused a mounting social and economic crisis: over 26 million Europeans are jobless, 10 million more than in 2008”.
Attention paid to this event is expected to be much greater than in previous years. This is at least the hope of the ETUC, which is hoping that the European unions' demands will be taken on board in the context of the European elections next May. The ETUC also warned that “citizens do not agree with the kind of path the EU is going down. Such a Europe will be not be regarded kindly by its citizens, if it doesn't change course”.
The demonstrators will be demonstrating at midday in the “petite ceinture” area of the Belgian capital and in the rue Belliard. This route may once again provoke a real cacophony for Brussels drivers. The demonstration is due to meet up in the Cinquantenaire Park. (JK)