The Party of European Socialists (PES), the Malta’s Labour Party’s political family in the European Union (EU), has uploaded its full manifesto for the upcoming 2019 European Parliament Elections.
The manifesto calls for Europe’s need to “overcome inequality, fight for tax justice, tackle the threat of climate change, harness the digital revolution, ensure a fair agricultural transformation, manage migration better, and guarantee security for all Europeans”.
It also speaks of giving the right to everyone to decide what to do over their own body, which can be easily interpreted as a signal in favour of abortion.
They explain that to do this, Europe needs a change of leadership and policy direction, particularly by leaving behind the neoliberal and conservative models of the past, and focusing on quality jobs for its people.
In spite of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s call to embrace Capitalism and the free market, PES have stuck to the classic Socialist mantra moving the conversation from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs, and calling for a radical change.
Prime Minister Muscat attended the meeting in which the manifesto was approved.
Social equality through equity
“Inequality must be dramatically reduced and the concentration of wealth and property in the hands of a privileged few must stop.”
Apart from a call to defend the universal right to quality healthcare, education and decent pensions, the manifesto promised a fight for “decent minimum wages across Europe”, and proposed a European complementary unemployment insurance mechanism to “support Member States in the event of a strong increase in unemployment”.
“A Social Action Plan is needed to turn the EU Pillar of Social Rights into binding rules that strengthen welfare systems, respect labour market models and improve living standards.”
Centralization and harmonisation
“We will not bow to uncontrolled market forces and we will finally put an end to austerity policies.”
PES calls for a long-term Investment Plan to “prepare our industries and workers so they benefit from the green transition, the digital revolution and the growth of artificial intelligence.
A “substantial reform” of the Eurozone, including the implementation of its own budget was one of the proposals, along with a reviewing of European fiscal rules “to make sure that they foster sustainable growth and employment”.
Tax harmonization was also an integral part of their plan as the Socialist party called for “tax justice”, and pledged to lead the fights against tax evasion, tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning.
The strengthening of financial and banking sector rules was also included as a pledge in the manifesto, along with the promotion of a common European approach “to ensure a proper level of effective taxation and stop downward corporate tax competition”.
“Europe needs a stronger budget to ensure cohesion and solidarity between citizens, regions and countries, improving living standards throughout Europe and reducing inequalities.”
Climate change and sustainability
“Europe must be a leader in fighting for the environment and tackling climate change, particularly as some of our international partners are falling behind.”
To achieve the full protection of the planet, PES insists that the EU must adopt a Sustainable Development Pact with social and ecological targets to ensure that economic interest do not trump the environment.
This, they said, will be backed up by a “Just Transition Fund” that will they say must be used to implement the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda and Goals by 2030. Even going a step further by promising to raise the EU’s climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement and the latest science on climate change, including a Plan for Affordable Housing and Clean Public Transport in Europe.
“CO2 emissions should be taxed EU-wide in a socially fair way, making polluters pay and supporting investment in affordable clean energy.”
A reform of the EU’s agricultural policy is also proposed to assist in the meeting of new societal demands, including sustainable production methods, better nutrition, reduced food waste, better animal welfare, climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity.
Freedom and democracy
“Democracy is a founding value of the EU. It must be respected in Europe and promoted abroad.”
The defending and improvement of democracy was immediately pledged in their manifesto, as well as empowering citizen participation from the local to the European level.
Individual rights, or equal rights, were proclaimed to be of utmost importance, with full respect of individuals privacy and safety.
In spite of the integration issues cropping up in many areas of Europe, PES insisted that “cultural diversity enriches Europe and its people”.
To celebrate peace and unity in Europe, they proposed that Europe Day on the 9th of May become a public holiday in all Member States.
“Free and independent media and civil society must be support and allowed to play their role in democracy, and whistle blowers must be protected.”
A feminist Europe
“Any form of discrimination is unacceptable in our modern European societies.”
PES call for a binding EU Gender Equality Strategy, through which they say they will continue to lead the fight to end that pay and pension gaps, combat sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
They also maintained that they will ensure that every individual has access to their full sexual and reproductive rights as “every person has the right to decide over their own body.”
“Europe should remove legal and societal obstacle for LGBTI people to live freely, equally and with respect.”
Child and youth plan
“Our societies will face the future with more optimism once our youth have better prospects and our elderly no longer ear insecurity in later life.”
To empower young Europeans the manifesto explains that every child must have access to quality healthcare, childcare, education, housing and nutrition, which PES promise to get done through the implementation of a European Child and Youth Guarantees.
They also pledged to continue to support and reinforce Erasmus+, and introduce European Culture Cheques to support young people’s access to culture.
Uniting Europe
“In an increasingly unstable world, Europe must be a beacon of democracy, peace and stability, as well as a benchmark for social justice, dialogue, multilateralism, human rights, decent work, the rule of law, sustainable development and gender equality.”
PES called for a push to reform the United Nations, and a pledge to make sure the EU includes binding social and environmental standards, human rights, consumer protection and workers’ rights in all future trade agreements.
A “fair common asylum and migration policy” was also called for, and it was suggested to be based on shared responsibility and solidarity among Member States, and cooperation with countries of origin and transit.
“To do this, we must open safe and legal channels, support protection capacities in adjacent regions and tackle the root causes of migration, including climate change.”
The Socialists answer to this is a new partnership with Africa, and a European Investment Plan for Africa.
“We will promote better funding of integration policies and support host cities and communities.”