The European Democratic Party (EDP) is meeting in Florence on Friday 8 March to approve its manifesto for the European elections in June and to appoint the EDP representative on Team Europe. This body brings together representatives of the EDP, ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) and Renaissance who will lead the “Renew Europe Now” alliance for the elections, the campaign launch of which is scheduled for 20 March in Brussels (see EUROPE 13359/23).
With 20 national parties and 11 members of the European Parliament, the EDP focuses its manifesto on 21 fields of action and 300 priorities, including a number of institutional measures such as eliminating the right of veto, implementing the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe, direct election of the EU President (resulting from the merger of the office of President of the European Council with that of President of the European Commission) with transnational electoral lists and strengthening Parliament’s powers.
“The time has come to set in motion a new political dynamic and reinvent ourselves. To build a better and more resilient future, we offer innovative solutions to continue the European transformation that started in 2019 and remedy the flaws that could alter our foundations. We are sure that the pro-European central forces will increasingly become the driving force behind the European recovery”, state the opening pages of the manifesto.
It also focuses on European defence, calling for the development of a European military force alongside NATO and the creation of a global alliance for democracy.
It then looks at the challenges ahead, stressing the importance of: - leadership on energy and climate issues, including water and ocean management; - the development of artificial intelligence, while establishing a clear regulatory framework in this area; - managing migratory flows in a humane way; - diversity and inclusion; - consumer protection; - the future of young people; - education and culture; - territorial and overseas policies.
To see the manifesto, go to https://aeur.eu/f/b74 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)