PES Manifesto: “People first, A new direction for Europe”
Today the leaders of Europe’s social democratic and socialist parties adopted the PES manifesto for the 2009 European elections. “Our policies are more inclusive than the conservatives” said Rasmussen “and we do our politics in a more inclusive way too.”
The manifesto was drawn up following a nine-month open consultation and was adopted by PES leaders, including Jose Luis Zapatero, Franz Müntefering, Martine Aubry, Jose Socrates, Ferenc Gyurcsany, Alfred Gusenbauer, Sergei Stanishev, Borut Pahor, Gediminas Kirkilas, Jean Asselborn, Carolin Flint, George Papandreou, Mona Sahlin, Elio Di Rupo, Caroline Gennez, Helle Thorning Schmidt, Jutta Urpilainen, Eamon Gilmore, Grzegorz Napieralski, Janis Dinevics, Riccardo Nencini, Yiannakis Omirou, Joseph Muscat, Piero Fassino, Margot Wallstrom, Martin Schulz and Mercedes Bresso.
Network of European Socialist lawyers launched
The founding meeting of EUSONET - a network of European Socialist lawyers - was held at PES Council in Madrid. The network, a legal think tank which will combine internet-based discussions with an annual conference and regular meetings of the Governing Board, is open to all members of PES member parties.
PES leaders declaration on the Lisbon Treaty
The PES respects the result of the Irish referendum. But the PES also respects the completed ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 24 Member States of the European Union. The PES firmly believes that the ratification process should continue so that all 27 Member States can pronounce themselves on the Lisbon Treaty.
PES Leaders call for ambitious recovery plan to be adopted at December Summit
PES Leaders, meeting in Madrid, called for an ambitious European recovery plan to safeguard employment and prevent mass unemployment. The Leaders, hosted by Jose Luis Zapatero, want the EU and Member States to adopt this ambitious recovery plan at the European Council of 11-12 December.
PES congratulates Romanian Social Democrats on election victory
Meeting in Madrid on the eve of the PES Council PES leaders - including José Luis Zapatero, Franz Müntefering, Martine Aubry, Frank Walter Steinmeier, José Sócrates, Sergei Stanishev, Alfred Gusenbauer, Borut Pahor, George Papandreou, Mona Sahlin and PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen - adopted the declaration below congratulating Mircea Geoana and the PSD for their victory in the Romanian elections. Taking part in the meeting for the PSD was Adrian Severin.
Two big flaws in EU economic recovery plan
Commenting on the European Economic Recovery Plan, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “The Commission has listened to us and is going in the right direction. The recovery plan mirrors the proposals made by PES Leaders as early as 2005 and most recently earlier this month. But the Commission’s plan has two big flaws. The first is that 1.5% of GDP in two years is almost certainly not enough to keep down unemployment. The second is that conservative leaders may well water down the plan and refuse to make the necessary national investments.”
Rasmussen horrified by murders in India
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today expressed his horror at the mass murders in Mumbai, India and his relief that his European Parliamentarians were not hurt. Rasmussen said “It is beyond understanding why anyone would choose to cause such misery and death. My heart goes out to the victims, to their families, and all those who were caught up in the attacks."
