The Head of the Maltese Labour Delegation at the European Parliament told the heads of national delegations and the bureau of the S&D Group of the European Parliament in Brussels that European Socialists should first and foremost defend, and be seen to defend, the interests of the working people of Europe.  Dr. Sant addressed a meeting which discussed the latest political developments in Europe, with foremost on the agenda the immigration crisis. Sant said that voters across Europe are coming to understand that when faced with a choice between ‘Europe’ and the interests of European working people, socialist parties and the S&D will choose ‘Europe’.

Moreover, Sant said, European socialists are giving the impression that they don’t have their own proposals on the latest developments. "The perception is that we are mostly following the policies of the right, and in some instances, just reacting to the events that are continuously evolving on the continent. I cannot agree with such an approach.’ he claimed.

Dr. Sant said that European socialists are failing to develop a policy that responds to the changes occurring in Europe, while safeguarding the interests of working people in Europe. Inertia and the lack of credibility in different sectors like immigration, the Greek crisis (where the S&D is backing an agreement that will surely not function well) and the impasse in the confrontation with Russia over Ukraine have a common cause. They arise from the failure to give the interests of working people overall priority when seeking to understand the current challenges and devising new socialist strategies.

The meeting was chaired by Gianni Pittella, President of the S&D.