Brussels, 07/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - A Europe focused on job creation (especially for young people) and on the fight against tax evasion, and a Europe which returns to its original ideals while undermining the tricks of the eurosceptics - these are the main lines of Martin Schulz's campaign programme. Schulz, who is the Socialist Party's candidate for the presidency of the European Commission, officially presented his proposals in Brussels on Wednesday 7 May.
In the race since October to succeed current European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Schulz, from Germany, set out the detail of his priorities a few days after the EPP candidate, Jean-Claude Juncker from Luxembourg, and ALDE candidate, Guy Verhofstadt from Belgium. Schulz laughed at his critics who say that his programme does not seem to be any different from that of his rivals. “I notice that Jean-Claude Juncker is presenting a Social-Democrat programme. Who is fooled?” he said, noting that Juncker's publicly held ideas do not necessarily reflect the position of his party. As for Verhofstadt, “a very dear friend”, he is a “champion” at extolling “his individual vision” but when it comes to the time to vote, a “big difference” appears between “what he says and what can be seen on the Liberals' list of votes”, Schulz laughed.
Schulz also put his trust in the process of personalising the campaign followed by the main European political families. Recognising that there “is always a risk” in this case that the Council might pull another ticket out of its hat the day after 25 May to succeed Barroso, Schulz nevertheless has the feeling “that the future president of the Commission will be one of the official candidates”. Neither does he imagine that the citizens can be called to vote on the basis of a very particular procedure, and then it be decided not to respect it.
On the substance, Schulz presented six big areas for action - the first consisting of strengthening the democratic nature of the EU and participation. On this area, he stated that he wanted to attack the gender pay gap and that he would do all he could to have a joint committee made up of as many women as men. The whole European Commission will have to go and meet the national governments at least once a year in order to give account of difficulties on the ground.
As regards the economy, “all the initiatives will have to have the objective of boosting growth, jobs and competitiveness”. SMEs must especially be supported, and the links between them and universities must be strengthened. Among other issues, Schulz wants a European fund for investment and innovation, fed by the unused funds in the European budget. The transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement (TTIP) must not be demonised. It will be a source of employment for Europeans, Schulz believes, but will only be ratified if it does not undermine any European standard - environmental, social or digital.
As far as economic governance and financial regulation is concerned, Schulz wants a real financial transaction tax and he wants to go further than the stage adopted by European ministers on Tuesday 6 May (see EUROPE 11073). On the subject of taxation and the fight against tax evasion, he wants to introduce a minimum tax rate on companies so as to avoid the race to the best offer between the member states. By the end of 2014, a complete list will also be needed of all the tax havens in the world - an announcement that comes as OECD member countries signed the global standard, in Paris on 6 May, on the automatic exchange of information (see other article). All the entities appearing on this list should then be subject to sanctions. And, prior to this, the EU will have to acquire a “clear and solid” definition of the notion of a tax haven. As regards the euro, economic governance will have to be completed, taking on a democratic nature. However, Schulz will not open the debate on the strong euro, as some of his allies would like - especially France. Understanding that a strong euro poses a problem for certain countries as regards their exports, Schulz believes it is too early to have this discussion, he said on Wednesday.
Another area for priority action is that of jobs and social issues. The youth guarantee will have to be implemented quickly in the member states. Schulz also wants a European pact for training and qualifications.
As regards digital Europe and data protection, Schulz wants a European charter of digital rights that obliges European companies to shed light on all the data they collect on individuals and to delete these data if the individuals want it so. More competition will also have to be introduced between internet operators and search engines, and an attempt should be made to shake up Google's monopoly.
Lastly, the sixth and final area for action is “turning out to vote”. Schulz spoke on Wednesday of his shame at possibly seeing a “Nazi candidate” entering the European Parliament after 25 May. And the candidate who wins the presidency of the Commission after the elections will, from the very first day of his post, have to work to counter “all attempts to destroy the EU”. (SP)