A few days before the European elections in Belgium, EUROPE looked at the programmes of the main French-speaking Belgian political parties - MR (liberal), PS (socialist), Ecolo (ecologist), DéFI (centre-right liberal party campaigning for the defence of francophones, mainly in Brussels), cdH (Christian-democrats), PTB (radical left) - in order to highlight their similarities and differences. To this end, three themes, corresponding to the major concerns of citizens according to the Spring 2019 Eurobarometer, were analysed: the environment, the economy and migration.
Environment
With regard to the environment, Ecolo, the PS and the PTB particularly stress the need to reconcile ecological transition and social justice. The PTB is thus opposed to carbon taxes, because it considers that such measures "pass the burden on to small consumers and are totally ineffective in bringing about a real change in energy policy".
While the programs of all parties, with the exception of DéFI, include greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, the figures reported vary. While the PS, MR and Ecolo agree on a 55% reduction by 2030, the PTB is more ambitious, advocating a 60% reduction. For its part, the cdH programme does not specify an objective for 2030, but, like Ecolo, the PTB and the PS, aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.
In addition, these four parties do not join the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Ecolo, the PS and the cdH thus wish to reform it in order to increase the carbon price, while the PTB proposes a more radical approach consisting in a total break with this system.
With the exception of the PTB, all programmes recommend establishing a tax adjustment mechanism at the EU's borders to protect European workers and companies against unfair competition from foreign companies that are less careful about meeting environmental standards.
In the field of taxation, the cdH, the PS, the MR and Ecolo also propose to tax aviation fuel, one of the most polluting sectors.
Economy
With the exception of the PTB, all programmes recommend reforming Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Ecolo, the SP and the MR propose, for example, to integrate the Budget Pact (TSCG) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) into the EU's legal framework in order to ensure democratic scrutiny by the European Parliament and greater transparency.
With the same concern for democratisation, the cdH for its part wishes to see the creation of an ad hoc committee responsible for the democratic control of the euro area budget. It would be composed of members of Parliament from the euro area countries.
Like DéFI and the MR, the cdH also calls for the creation of a euro area budget, while Ecolo considers that the EU needs a much more ambitious and effective budget codecided by Parliament.
For its part, the SP suggests developing new budgetary stabilisation and convergence instruments for the euro area.
The MR also wants a stable President of the Eurogroup, who will be responsible for ensuring that Member States' commitments are respected and acting in the interest of the euro area. The same is true of the cdH, which proposes a "European High Commissioner for Budget and Finance", who would also be President of the Eurogroup.
Finally, with the exception of DéFI, which does not mention it, all parties wish to extend the mandate of the European Central Bank (ECB) so that, in addition to ensuring price stability - its primary function - it can support growth, job creation and ecological transition.
Migration
In the field of migration, the six parties advocate a reform of the Dublin Regulation - according to which asylum applications must be lodged in the country through which the applicant first entered the EU - in order to ensure a more equitable sharing of responsibilities between Member States. The revision of the Dublin Regulation is currently blocked at the level of the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 12209/2).
With the exception of DéFI, which does not mention it in its programme, all of the parties also call for the establishment of legal and secure migration routes.
While Ecolo, the PTB and the PS call for the fight against the causes of migration (armed conflicts, famine), the MR, the cdH and DéFI wish to strengthen the role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (ex-Frontex).
The MR also suggests setting up "hotspots" in some EU partner countries where "people can find out about asylum opportunities and, possibly, apply, if they are eligible". The same is true for the cdH, which is in favour of the creation of "asylum processing centres" in the main transit countries.
Ecolo is for its part strongly opposed to "any project for controlled centres or regional landing platforms outside the EU" and calls instead for a review of the agreements concluded with transit countries in order to ensure adequate protection of human rights and the EU's international commitments. The Greens are also calling for the restoration of a European maritime rescue mission.
Finally, some parties propose to provide the EU with new migration tools. This is particularly the case for the cdH and the PS, which propose to create a new European agency in charge of the distribution of refugees. The PTB encourages the establishment of a "European Fund for Welcoming Municipalities" to support municipalities in the field of reception and integration.
To consult the European programmes of the MR, the PS, the Ecolo, the DéFI, the cdH and the PTB respectively: https://bit.ly/2JUW5TO; https://bit.ly/2ISxT3U; https://bit.ly/2YBHrFd; https://bit.ly/2WXn58F; https://bit.ly/2WlmuAS; https://bit.ly/2Er2T89 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot - intern)