15 December 2010

Party of European Socialists' Newsletter

15 December 2010

HOT TOPIC

PES President, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and S&D Group in the European Parliament Mar

Eurobonds and a European Stability Agency are the GPS that the eurozone ship desperately needs

In a strongly worded statement, European Socialists addressed the upcoming European Council and called for a coordinated action to tackle the crisis and the establishment of Eurobonds. This statement was issued on Monday 13^th December and has already generated considerable momentum. Wednesday morning saw German SPD members publically advocating the PES line. Thursday 16^th December will see a crucial vote in the European Parliament on the issue. All these measures are designed to put extra pressure on the European Council.

PES

Europe needs a ‘Marshall Plan’ for Recovery

Grzegorski Napieralski, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and SLD Leader Grzegorz Napieralski presented at a Press Conference the conclusions of the PES Council, which was held on 2-3 December in Warsaw, Poland.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen stated that: “Europe needs a Marshall Plan for Recovery. A plan which is truly European, which places jobs and growth at the heart of economic recovery.

PES

PES agree next step in selecting ‘lead’ candidate for European elections 2014

The PES Council held in Warsaw on 2 and 3 December approved a Resolution to define a Process for the PES ‘lead’ candidate for the European Elections in 2014. The details of the decision included the creation of a working group and ensuring that the steps would be ‘Democratic and Transparent’.

Social Europe

A European Employment and Social Progress Pact for fair growth adopted by the PES Council

The PES Council agreed that social and employment policies need to play a more important role in tackling the current crisis. The PES’ priority number one is to overcome mass unemployment and social exclusion, while promoting fair, green and smart growth. This is a precondition for economic recovery, and should therefore guide all socialist and social-democratic policies and actions. To achieve this objective we demand a European Employment and Social Progress Pact to be adopted at local, national and European levels.

My PES

MyPES: Europe needs YOU!

MyPES is a new tool for progressive activism in Europe. It is an online platform which allows PES activists to meet with each other, to promote debate on European politics, to propose initiatives and to join PES Campaigns. In other words, PES activists have now their own forum for changing Europe!

EDITORIAL

Conservatives’ policies leave Europeans cold

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES President

The promise of a long cold winter hangs over Europe. A first wave of cold has seen many families unable to keep their homes warm, as successive cuts in salaries and social benefits affected their capacity to access something as basic as proper heating.
The austerity measures imposed by the conservative-dominated governments have caused an increase in unemployment. The lack of investment policies has made growth even more sluggish. Without economic growth and with the systematic dismantling of the welfare state, more and more EU citizens are suffering the direct consequences of the conservative way of dealing with the crisis.

News from PES members

The Polish Democratic Left Alliance confirms strong position in local elections

Forthcoming events

16-17 December - European Council

Environment

Cancún Climate Change Conference a step forward but fails to deliver effective, binding results

The UN Conference of the Parties ended on Saturday 11 December in Cancún with an agreement to extend the commitment period under the Kyoto protocol beyond 2012. This year’s conference gathered Environmental Ministers from almost 200 countries to discuss and decide actions to be taken against Climate Change on a global level.

PES Women

Employment and Social Affairs Council rejects fair maternity leave standards for Europe

The Employment and Social Ministers of the EU meeting on 6 and 7 December failed to endorse the proposals for 20 weeks full-paid maternity leave adopted by the European Parliament (EP) in October this year.

PES Women

PES Women adopts declaration on Women's sexual and reproductive rights in Warsaw

Around 100 participants from over 29 countries gathered in Warsaw on December 3^rd to sign PES Women Declaration for equal sexual and reproductive rights for all Women in Europe.

World

Guinean celebrate on December 3, 2010 in Conakry, after the Supreme Court valida

PES President warmly congratulates Alpha Condé

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists (PES), warmly congratulated Alpha Condé on his election at the head of the Republic of Guinea, in the second round of the Presidential Elections, held on November 9.

Red Hot Socialism at -20°C; PES Activists Forum at the PES Council

On Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th of December, despite freezing temperatures, the PES activists Forum 2010 took place in Warsaw Poland, bringing the warmth of socialism to the chill of winter. Over 150 activists took part in both the Council and the Forum and the debate and talks which followed were lively.

Re:new

Re:new debate up and running!

With over 67 topics already launched and almost 300 individual contributions made, it is clear that PES Re:new platform is already a big success. Issues that are adding to the growing momentum include debates on subjects as diverse as Palestine, the Far-Right parties in Europe, Green Taxes and the European Citizens Initiative. The Economy and Jobs feature prominently in an ongoing discussion about what kind of economic governance (or government) the EU should have.