On Tuesday 26 February, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said, in a statement announcing the launch of its election manifesto, that the results of the European elections next May will be decisive for the future direction of the European Union.
"These are the most important European elections I can remember", said Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary.
Responding to a question on the likelihood of a more unstable European Parliament in the aftermath of the elections, he criticised the "anti-European, racist and fascist parties [who] have nothing to offer". "They should not be given the chance to prop up some anti-social majority - that would be a catastrophe for the EU", he went on to say.
According to him, trade unions have a duty to "try to channel people's frustrations" and to familiarize them with the parties that support the trade unions' demands.
With this in mind, the confederation presented its electoral programme, which promises "a fairer Europe for workers". According to the ETUC, this Europe must be based on three pillars: - democracy and social justice; - quality jobs and better wages; - a socially equitable transition to a low-carbon digital economy.
"Trade unions are calling on their members to vote in the European elections, and to vote for parties that stand for democracy and social justice, quality jobs and higher wages", Visentini said.
To see the programme: https://bit.ly/2HaiJX3. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot - intern)