The European socialist and social democratic families, meeting in Amsterdam from 16 to 18 October for the annual congress of the Party of European Socialists, will be calling on European citizens to mobilise for social justice, peace in the world and the defence of minorities, as well as for the fight for respect for the rule of law and action on climate change (see EUROPE 13732/37).
Under the banner of “progressive mobilisation”, the Declaration adopted at the end of these two days of meetings will address “profound and urgent challenges – challenges that threaten the everyday lives of our citizens and the progress that we’ve fought so hard to achieve”, according to a draft text seen by Agence Europe.
“We know what happens when dangerous extremist ideas spread. Even now, we can see how they threaten our rights and democracies. [...] We cannot leave the future in the hands of right-wing regressive and reactionary forces. We cannot let them derail the urgent action needed – for justice, equality, freedom, democracy, and for the survival of our planet”.
At a time when “women’s rights are being eroded [...] LGBTIQ+ communities are also facing a coordinated backlash [and] migrants are increasingly criminalised and used as a scapegoat”, European socialists will call, in the Declaration, for “Upholding the rule of law at all levels and safeguarding our democratic institutions and fundamental rights [...] Protecting and investing in public services – especially healthcare, education, and care [...] Guaranteeing good fair working conditions, wages, and strong labour rights for all workers”. They will also commit to “addressing social inequalities by ensuring access to affordable and sustainable housing for all, and designing cities and villages with people – not profit – in mind”.
The text should also call for “guaranteeing peace through a strong commitment to multilateralism, to non-proliferation and preventive diplomacy, and respecting international law”. And it will argue in favour of “Ensuring a green and digital transition that is just, fair, inclusive, and human-centred” and “making our societies more sustainable”.
Link to the draft Declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/izy (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)