Members of the European Democratic Party (EDP) called on Friday 8 February, at their congress in Bilbao (Spain), for Europe’s “democratic and deep refoundation”. “For us, it is time to rebuild Europe”, the members of the EDP launched in their "Bilbao Declaration".
Stressing that the European project is in danger, the EDP believes that “Europe needs a break, a profound democratic rebuilding’. According to them, “the political parties that have dominated the European scene over the past decades are no longer in a position to revive the tremendous European momentum that the founding fathers had succeeded in creating”. They are weary and have let people down. So, “it is time for the Democrats to take up the baton. We have a duty to share with citizens our European dream”, the declaration states. Before adding: "The European Democratic Party wants and indeed has to inspire a new political constellation whose objective is to get Europe back on track”.
The declaration lists many challenges facing the EU, but does not really provide answers. Members denounce the lack of ambition on climate change, calling for "an ambitious plan for a transition to a green economy financed by new own resources and creating millions of jobs”.
The same goes for the economy. While the EU has a single currency, it still has no political leadership, Neither the instruments nor the budgetary means exist to enable Euro area countries to coordinate their economic policies and benefit from the solidarity of their partners in the event of asymmetric shocks, the EDP regrets. It also criticises a lack of tax harmonisation, particularly on corporate income tax, and calls for the taxation of digital multinationals.
Democrats also criticise the fact that Europeans allow “major external competitors to take control of strategic companies or infrastructures (see EUROPE 1214) and do not promote the emergence of European industrial giants capable of competing with the giants of our competitors” (see EUROPE 12188).
As far as social Europe is concerned, according to the members of the EDP, the EU does not have effective instruments against social dumping nor a roadmap to encourage social convergence.
Democrats also denounced the lack of solidarity on migration and the absence of common rules on asylum. They highlighted the need, together with African countries, for a “Marshall Plan that Africa needs to ensure the development of a continent with a rapidly growing population”. Finally, while Europeans spend more on defence than Russia, they are “not able to send European forces to overseas military operations, if necessary, nor dissuade Russia from developing its audacious and belligerent policy towards its European neighbours”, denounces the EDP.
This declaration is a milestone towards its manifesto for the European elections. According to one source, it is being prepared and should be adopted next April. The question of whether or not to appoint a Spitzenkandidate is still under discussion, added this source.
In addition, during the Congress, three new parties joined the European Democratic Party: the Slovenian DeSUS Party (Demokratična stranka upokojencev Slovenije), the Czech Party Senátor 21 (Senator 21) and the Hungarian party Új Kezdet (New beginning). The Cypriot parties Platforma Politon (Citizens' Platform) and Romanian Pro-România (Pro-Romania) have become observer members. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)