Brussels, 13/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a letter sent to members of his group, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, on Monday 13 July, Martin Schulz sets out 11 demands of José Manuel Barroso, the European Council's favoured candidate for the presidency of the next Commission. If Barroso wants the support of Socialist MEPs, he will have to commit himself to a “new recovery plan for Europe”, a “European Employment Pact”, a new “Charter of Women's Rights” and a “Social Progress Pact”. The Socialists also want more effective regulation and supervision of financial markets, stronger and more efficient European financial instruments (including a new initiative on “Eurobonds”), coordinated foreign policy, a “coherent European economic strategy for after 2010 centred on the interdependence of economic, social and environmental progress”, a new legal framework to safeguard and clarify the legal status of public services throughout Europe, and a European budget “commensurate with the challenges to be faced”. (H.B./transl.rt)