Warsaw, 30/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - “Strong for the People” is the title of the European People Party's manifesto for the European elections, approved by the EPP Congress in Warsaw on Thursday 30 April. “The EPP is the flame of Europe. It is with this message that we are entering the electoral campaign in the aim of remaining the main political family in the European Parliament”, President Wilfried Martens said in his Congress closing speech.
The current economic crisis is at the centre of the concerns of the European Right, which hopes to differentiate itself, on one hand, from the European Socialists and their anti-Liberal dogma and, on the other, from the anti-European nationalists. In order to address this crisis, it will take “competence, determination and far-sightedness, not ideology”, the EPP states. “Socialists see the financial and economic crisis as a chance to push their age-old agenda of nationalisation, protectionism and permanent deficit spending. We, on the other hand, are acting in order to preserve a competitive social market economy and make it more sustainable”, say the Christian Democrats and Conservatives within the EPP. The EPP's electoral programme goes on to say: “Nationalists are using the crisis to advocate their well-known plans against a strong Europe that would quickly leave us unable to cope with the challenges of the 21st century. We, however, are determined to push ahead with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and with modernising and strengthening the Union. In other words, this election is about a fundamental choice: between the dangerous recipes of Socialists and nationalists, and a secure future based on values, responsibility, competence and coordinated action”. The electoral manifesto (available at http://www.epp.eu ) is divided into five parts:
Creating prosperity for everyone. The current crisis was “caused by short-sightedness and a lack of control in the global financial system”. Highly cautious, the EPP says it is time to “redefine” the role of regulation in financial markets and economies in general, while rejecting the over-regulatory approach of the Socialists and the “ideas of market fundamentalists who believe that markets alone should rule the world”. The creation of new jobs remains a “core priority”, which therefore requires investment in education. Governments must coordinate monetary and fiscal policies better and not fall into the trap of protectionism. The recession should also be seen as an “opportunity”, the EPP says, to increase investment in green technologies, adding: “We want to position Europe as a world leader in this sector”.
Making Europe a safer place. The EU's first security priority is counter-terrorism. It must build formal links of close cooperation between the European Commission, the EU's Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and Europol's director, and improve synchronisation between their work and the global activities of the EU and its member states, as well as improving Europol's operational capabilities. The fight against illegal immigration and human trafficking requires more coordinated action, which means improved operational capabilities and resources of the border control agency Frontex, applying a joint asylum policy and stepping up implementation of a Blue Card system for legal immigration, and establishing close partnerships with the countries of origin of illegal migrants.
Combating climate change. The financial and economic crisis must not be used as a pretext not to do anything against this danger, the EPP states. “To the contrary: we should take it as a wake-up call to modernise our economies and create new, sustainable jobs. Market mechanisms can and should be used to reduce emissions”, it states. Europe must even become the “market leader in green technology based on better research and development”. Nuclear energy should remain an “option” for member states wishing to reduce emissions.
Tackling the demographic challenge. The EPP sees the family as “the centre of our society and the guardian of our values”. Special incentives should therefore be provided for families, and “family-friendly policies that improve flexibility for working parents are urgently needed”, it says. There should also be better childcare and housing and family-friendly fiscal policies, and parental leave for both working parents should be encouraged.
Uniting Europe on the world stage. The EU must enhance its role in the world and improve its capabilities to act, renew its partnership with the United States, give greater attention to its neighbours to the east and south, and seek partnerships throughout the world in order to preserve peace and prosperity in Europe, the EPP stresses. Cooperation on defence must be strengthened, including through a strategic agreement with
the United States and other allies. The EU should “differentiate its neighbourhood policy” in order to suit the specificities of different countries, while at the same time laying down common standards on human rights and the rule of law in a Neighbourhood Charter, the programme reads. (H.B./transl.jl)