PES Newsletter n°26 – May 2008

Stand up for trade union rights!

The PES Presidency calls for “all necessary changes to ensure that national, regional and local systems of collective bargaining are upheld within the European Union” in a resolution addressed to the European Commission and national governments following recent controversial judgments by the European Court of Justice on trade union rights. 

What sort of EU do we want?

In a PES statement for Europe Day, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said the real debate was not for or against Europe but what sort of European Union do we want. Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women underlined the PES commitment to develop a new agenda for Europe for the next European elections in June 2009 that recognizes citizens’ aspirations and concerns for the future.      

Clock ticking on manifesto consultation

The PES manifesto consultation will close on July 4 with the PES’ first ever PES activist forum where over 200 PES activists from all over Europe will give their final input into the manifesto debate. Make sure you are among the over 200,000 visits to our manifesto consultation website – and have your say alongside Lionel Jospin, Neil Kinnock and the hundreds of women and men who have posted views and uploaded videos on Yourspace! MEPs taking part recently include Lissy Gröner, Asa Westlund, Linda McAvan and Josep Borrell. See also the formal written submissions of member parties (Labour Party UK, SPa and Socialist Party of Catalonia) and organizations, activists, NGOs, trade unions and foundations.        

Rasmussen proposes new framework for private equity and hedge funds

A comprehensive set of measures to promote greater financial stability, ensure more transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and reduce excessive debt were presented to the European Parliament by PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen in his report on better regulation of private equity and hedge funds. The proposals are due to be voted on by the Parliament in July. PES President also joined an initiative calling for multilateral action to address the current financial crisis.    

PES welcomes EU-Serbia Association Agreement and congratulates Democratic Party on parliamentary elections

Serbia took a big step towards EU membership with the signing of an Association Agreement with the EU – a step encouraged by the PES which has been vocal in supporting the entry of all countries of the western Balkans into the European Union. The PES congratulates Democratic Party led by President Boris Tadic for its victory during the parliamentary elections on 11 May.

PES delegation visits Japan

The PES visited Japan with a delegation led by Alain Richard, former French Minister for Defence, and met with the Social-Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party of Japan. Early elections are expected to take place in autumn, and the Democratic Party of Japan is in a good position to win public support as an alternative to the ruling liberal conservative Liberal Democratic Party. 

Go on Radmila!

PES wishes every success to Radmila Sekerinska, the leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, and its pro-EU integration ‘Coalition for Europe’, as it goes into elections on 1 June. On the same day there are local elections in Romania - good luck for the Social Democrats and their leader Mircea Geoana. 

Commission takes up PES demand on Eurozone

A bigger voice for the Eurozone in international institutions such as the IMF and World Bank were among the PES recommendations for improving economic management of the EU taken up by the European Commission in its review of 10 years of economic and monetary union. Our recommendations were submitted by the PES Lisbon Network, chaired by former German Finance Minister Hans Eichel. 

Make a difference- sign the Call to action for Decent Work!

Decent Work lies at the heart of a fair globalization. By signing and disseminating the Call to action for decent work, you can make a difference in urging your government to work more on job creation. Not just any jobs, but decent jobs, allowing people to live in dignity and work their way out of poverty. Decent Work is the best way to fight global poverty. Sign now the international petition for Decent Work and download and forward the e-postcards!

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

PES Development Ministers, Brussels, 27 May
PES Prime Ministers and Leaders Meeting, Brussels, 19 June
PES Financial Markets Network, Brussels, 23 June
PES Working Group on Russia, 25-26 June
PES Presidency 25 June, 16 October, 6 November
PES Lisbon Network, Brussels, 3 July 
PES Activists manifesto consultation closing event, Vienna, 4-5 July
PES Council, Madrid, 21-22 November

You can also check manifesto2009 events and meetings