Socialists agree 10 principles for a New Social Europe – our roadmap for social and economic reform

8 December 2006
 

A ten point plan for the creation of a ‘New Social Europe’ was adopted by the leaders of Europe’s socialist, social democratic and labour parties at the Congress of the Party of European Socialists.

“Europe must reform if it is to continue to combine social justice and a market economy” said PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. “We social democrats and socialists reject dismantling our welfare states in the name of increased competition. We will renew and strengthen social protection across Europe, we will modernize our welfare states without weakening them, and we have adopted a ten point plan to show us the road.”

The ten principles for a New Social Europe include

New and clear rights and duties for all – citizens, governments, businesses, trade unions and ngos. Citizens must have right to participate and benefit, and a duty to contribute.

Full employment remains the social democrats goal to be achieved through better economic coordination and simultaneous investment across Europe, active labour market and education policies aimed at getting people into work.

Investing in people rather than in obsolete jobs – giving everyone the education and training – and income support - they need to enter the workplace and to move from the old job to the new job in as short a time as possible.

Social dialogue – involving employers and trade unions, and other social partners, in the organization and conditions of work as well as in the provision of education, training, and labour market policies.

Universal pre-school childcare for all who want it. 

The other principles are: inclusive societies, equal rights for men and women, diversity and integration, environmental sustainability and tackling climate change, and an active Europe.

Alongside the 10 principles which were debated and adopted by PES Congress in an overwhelming vote, there was also a detailed plan by Jacques Delors and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen which was widely praised but not presented for formal adoption by Congress.

Those participating in the debate – and supporting the 10 point plan – were Prime Ministers including Jose Socrates, Ferenc Gyurcsany and Sergei Stanishev plus Party Leaders including Francois Hollande, Kurt Beck, Mircea Geoana, Jiri Paroubek, George Papandreou and Elio di Rupo.

Ten principles for our common future    

FOR MORE INFORMATION Julian Scola, Press Officer, Party of European Socialists, , mobile +32 486 117 394