Paris, 07/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a working document adopted on Tuesday by its national bureau with a view to the elections in 2002, the French Socialist Party urged for a "major European loan" to finance infrastructure projects. It also pressed for a Community tax, for the creation of a European Public Prosecutor's Office and for the development of the Central Bank's macro-economic role. The document, that will serve as the base for the Socialist (PS) Party Congress on 6 and 7 October, according to the daily La Tribune, gives the proposals of the French Socialists for giving "left wing content" to the European Union. Some of the most ambitious proposals are:
On the economic front, the PS considers that the euro must be used to help bring back full employment and strengthened social cohesion. It proposes in this connection that the "aims of the European Central Bank should be extended to financial stability and regulation in order to best defend purchasing power". He suggests, moreover, that economic coordination requires "the definition of budgetary priorities in the common interest", "greater tax harmonisation, beginning with a tax on companies" and the creation of an "economic action fund" to support the States affected by a specific external shock. The PS also proposes a European tax that would be a substitute for existing taxes and which "could be the ecotax". Finally, it proposes "launching a major European loan to finance infrastructure investment and communication networks in Europe".
Concerning social matters, the document suggests, among other things, "integrating a social chapter into the financial directives (hostile takeover bid type). It proposes bringing in mechanisms after the fashion of the former ECSC Treaty for the sectors under restructuring, recognition of the principle of minimum guaranteed wage, the harmonisation of the rights of employees regarding dismissal and information, as well as the adoption of a European legislation on the fight against abusive recourse to precarious employment. In addition, it urges for a guaranteed access to healthcare for EU citizens and nationals of third countries staying in a Member State, and the definition of a common objective on retirement issues.
Tackling the theme of reform of Common Agricultural Policy, the document states that the Socialists refuse to allow the EU to transfer its responsibilities to Member States, "at the risk of detriment to the unity of the Community market and a slide towards productivism". The PS mainly urges for the development of "eco-conditionality mechanisms".
The chapter devoted to the creation of an "area of security, justice and freedom" is fully developed, and above all proposes that the citizens should refer the matter to the European Court of Justice, that there be mutual recognition of decisions in justice on civil matters for transnational disputes coming under the law on families, and the abolition of extradition procedures between Member States in criminal matters. It suggests the creation of a common operational criminal police force on the basis of Europol, a European Public Prosecutor's Office on the basis of EuroJust and an air police and external EU borders.
The institutional chapter is also substantial, proposing among other things the setting in place of a Convention for preparing a European Constitution, and the strengthening of the components of the Parliament/Council/Commission triangle. Taking up the debate on the future of Europe and on governance, the Socialist document recommends: 1) uniting Community decision-making procedures around qualified majority and codecision; 2) designating the Commission President from among the members of the majority at the EP; 3) strengthening the executive and collegial nature of the Commission and abandoning the nationality criteria for the appointment of its members; 4) strengthening the Council, mainly by entrusting it with approval of a programme of legislature at Commission and EP proposal; 5) setting up a permanent Council responsible for general affairs.