Blogposts by Tag: democracy

  • One Seat

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    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 11:52
    by Ezmanovich Join PES activists in Debate (405 views and 5 comments)

    Hello European comrades,

    I would like to know your opinions about the "One Seat"-campaign for stopping moving and travelling the Parliament between Brussels and Strasbourg.

    Don't we believe that the money used on moving the Parliament could be used better than that? Don't we think that the citizens in the union deserves better than wasting our money by moving the Parliament to Strasbourg and back to Brussels?

    We can use those money better than that. We can build a New Social Europa with a flexible labour market, a social security for everyone, a new climate policy and a common responsibily of solving the big problems in the whole union.

    I would like to hear some opinions from you, pals!

     

    Young regards,

    Jakob Esmann

    - Leading Media Effort Coordination Assistant for Danish Prime Candidate to the European Parliament MEP Dan Jørgensen
    - Chairman, The Social Democratic Youth of Denmark (DSU) - Kolding department
    - Member of The Social Democrats of Denmark

     jakob(AT)dsukolding.dk

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    Tags: Brussels, citizens, democracy, Denmark, environment, European Parliament, flexicurity, New Social Europe, One seat, social security, Strasbourg


  • Politics must not underestimate itself

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    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 15:31
    by mochinho Join PES activists in Debate (220 views and 0 comments)

    This claim may be the essence of the discussion which the German Member of the Federal Parliament, Ortwin Runde (SPD), had invited to in Hamburg, Germany, on 2008-11-06. Subject of this evening meeting was how the current financial crisis could be mastered. As special guests Runde could welcome trade union chairman Michael Sommer (DGB), Knut Fleckenstein (SPD, Member of the Hamburg Parliament, MEP candidate 2009), and the former Secretary of State Dr. Cornelie Sonntag-Wolgast (SPD).


    The panel reminded that today’s measures towards the financial crisis were against the zeitgeist of the last 30 years which were neo-liberal or market-radical then. People claiming these tools had been laughed at and been put aside. Obviously the current crisis will affect the small people in the end. Therefore the SPD and the trade unions have to back these people and develop a convincing socio-financial policy. The panel was of the opinion that the economy has to be democratically controlled and that the state should use and demand its influence. No one doubted the (social) free-market economy, but the panel saw today’s world economy as a kind of casino capitalism. The debaters argued that the former German red-green government had its share in the problematic developments in Germany. However, that government had been fallen victim of the former zeitgeist, but could withstand a total subjection under pure economic interests, e.g. in the field of consumer...

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    Tags: candidates, citizens, democracy, employment, financial crisis, globalization, PES


  • Socialistinfesta@Mondoperaio: The Italian Reformist Pride!

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    Rating: 3.8/5 with 5 votes

    Published Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 17:24
    by Gianfranco.Scavuzzo Join PES activists in Debate (597 views and 2 comments)

    First of all, I introduce myself: my name is Gianfranco, I am 20 and I study Classic Literature in Palermo, Sicily. I have been a member of the Partito Socialista Italiano (PSI) since last year, and I am also coordinator in my city, Bagheria, and member of the Federazione dei Giovani Socialisti.

    The Italian Socialist Party, led by Riccardo Nencini, just organised a three days event “Socialistinfesta@Mondoperaio” in Vieste, in the South of Italy.

    The PSI: its name is self-explanations, but it is good to underline that it is the only Italian political force which openly declare itself to be inspired by European Socialism’s progressive reformist values.

    The title of the event “FUTURE PRESENT! The conflict of ideas” well summarises its theme. A moment for meeting all the forces and reformist spirits, not just the socialist ones, a step for starting building a new political platform able to guarantee to our Country a stable reformist government.

    Influential representatives from the political, cultural and social world participated the meetings and discussed themes that have always concerned the...

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    Tags: democracy, PES, programme partito socialista italian federazione giovani socialisti ps fgs italy


  • Mobilising for Democracy - conclusions

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 19:20
    by Editor in Debate (716 views and 2 comments)

    The meeting held by PES Group in the Committee of the Regions on "Mobilising for democracy" was a great opportunity to discuss citizens' participation on elections. Elections turnout and voting patterns were two main topics that guided the debate between European and national politicians, representatives of the European Commission, academics and the civil society.


     

     

    For more information on the debate check the attached files - available in English, French and German.

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    Tags: democracy, European elections

    File: Elections_turnout-110908_DE.pdf, Elections_turnout-110908_EN.pdf, Elections_turnout-110908_FR.pdf


  • Mixing pop and politics

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    Rating: 4.5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Monday, September 8, 2008 at 20:19
    by carl0s Join PES activists in Debate (599 views and 1 comments)

    The 80s were unusual in the UK. Let's call them the "bad old days". But with the right-wing Conservative government intent on pursuing a divisive social agenda, and decaying cities and public infrastructure, many people were motivated to become politically active for the first time.

    We saw in Vienna how Young Socialists in Austria are aiming to emulate the famous "Rock Against Racism" campaigns from the late 1970s. This was a campaign that sprang into life after an Eric Clapton declared his support for anti-immigration Conservative Enoch Powell in the middle of a gig. The response to Clapton co-incided with development of punk rock, so the first RAR festivals boasted performances by The Clash, Buzzcocks, Steel Pulse, The Fall, X-Ray Spex, The Ruts, Sham 69, Generation X, the Tom Robinson Band, Graham Parker and the Rumour, and Misty in Roots.

    Click to read more

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    Tags: activists, campaign, democracy, voting, young people


  • Mobilising for Democracy

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    Published Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 16:33
    by Editor in Debate (555 views and 0 comments)

    Democratic governance relies on active participation, both in terms of those who stand for political office and those who elect them.

    The socialist members of the Committee of the Regions
    , the political assembly that provides local and regional authorities with a voice at the heart of the European Union, are organising a conference on "Mobilising for Democracy, elections turnout and voting behaviour".

    If you are interested in attending the event in order to have an overview of the different electoral systems and voting patterns across the EU, as well as explore particularities of specific electorates such as expatriates and ethnic minorities, younger and older voters, or women, you just have to fill in the online registration form available here.

    The conference will take place @ the Headquarters of the Committee of the Regions (Room 52, rue Belliard 101, B-1040 Brussels) on 10 September 2008 (09h30-13h30).
    The program and further information are available on the PES Group – Committee of the Regions website.

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    Tags: campaign, democracy, European Elections, PES


  • Right-wing extremism

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    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 09:21
    by carl0s Join PES activists in Debate (928 views and 3 comments)

    With the far-right on the rise across the EU, as socialists we need to look at ourselves in the cold light of morning. History tells us that fascism and its derivatives are fuelled by anger and disillusionment. What have we all done to contribute to this situation? Don't get me wrong - there's no justification for racism, violence or intolerance. But the current flaring of these sentiments across the EU may have causes to which we have contributed...

    Read the rest of this article here

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    Tags: democracy, fascism, racism


  • European Democracy and Diversity

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 17:24
    by Editor in Debate (921 views and 1 comments)

    Often people complain that Europe is not democratic. But is this the case? At the Vienna Forum, one activist rejected this commonly held view, stating that there are indeed existing democratic mechanisms available to activists in the EU. Rather than complaining about a democratic deficit, activists must use these mechanisms to their full potential in the fight for a better Europe.

    Julia from the SPÖ highlighted the role of fear in European politics, particularly in the debate on immigration. She argued that the EU must foster an image of “the good guy” in the form of a Social Union.

    What is your image of the EU in the context of globalization? What can Europe do to better protect it's citizens from the negative effects of globalization?

    Is there an institutionalised democratic deficit or do you agree that the problem is that we are simply not taking advantage of the mechanisms available to us?

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    Tags: activists, democracy, forum, globalization


  • Check out activist videos from Vienna Forum

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    Rating: 5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 12:04
    by Editor in Debate (1493 views and 0 comments)

    Didn't make it to Vienna Forum? Miss it already?

    Relive the moment and check out comments and interviews from the Vienna Forum with PES activists from across Europe on our Youtube page and stay tuned to Yourspace for more forum videos on themes such as online campaigning, emocracy and diversity, Europe in the world and Saving our planet.

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    Tags: activists, campaign, democracy, environment, external relations, forum


  • Building Europe together

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Monday, July 7, 2008 at 14:04
    by Editor in In the spotlight (796 views and 0 comments)

    Editor's note: Aidan OSullivan, PES activists Dublin, sent us a live example of good practices at European level, presented in Vienna during the seminar on "Cross-border campaign exchanges".

    In May 2007, we invited activists from all over Europe to come help in the Irish General Election campaign.

    The initiative was a fantastic success! We knocked on doors together, we leafleted target areas together, we shared ideas and stories and we formed new cross-European political relationships!

    This is how PES Activists works....activist to activist co-operation, building the New Social Europe from the grassroots level upward.

    Check out the short presentation on our experience!

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    Tags: citizens, democracy, elections, EU, forum

    File: PESActivistsDublin.pps


  • Two Europes

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    Rating: 3.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10:45
    by negrescuvictor Join PES activists in New Social Europe (899 views and 2 comments)

    The perspectives regarding Europe seems to illustrate unfortunately the existence of two different European visions, an Eastern and a Western point of view. These differences can be easily seen in issues like workers migration, economical delocalization, taxes, and the enlargement process.

    Workers migration

    East: for countries from this side of Europe the freedom of movement is what Europe is all about. The people who migrate from our countries do so to build themselves a better live but also to help there families back home.

    West: unfortunately the Eastern European migrants are presented as a problem and we as socialists have trouble fighting this point of view

    Solution: building up a common point of view regarding migration- informing our national communities regarding the other European communities migrating and explaining the good effects that this brings on the economy

    Economic delocalization

    East: most of the Eastern European countries are in need of foreign investments to develop the national economy and to all that is needed to attract...

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    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, diversity, EU


  • If not we will keep having

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    Rating: 4/5 with 4 votes

    Published Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 14:34
    by franciscopolo Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (721 views and 0 comments)

    At the same time I start writing this article the ratification process for the Lisbon Treaty is starting at the Spanish Parliament. I can hear the Foreign Affairs Ministry starting his discourse...

    Probably (no to say “for sure”), tomorrow the Spanish newspapers will show on their front pages the results of the Spain vs. Russia soccer game at the Eurocup. The matter of the Treaty will also be shown in those newspapers but it will not be given so much importance.

    As you probably know, the Lisbon Treaty is important due to many things: The Fundamental Rights Chart becomes binding, the Treaty creates a common space of liberty, security and justice (it was formerly intergovernmental), the EU gains in its capability to create an international interlocution by creating both the positions of the permanent President of the European Counsel and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, among other things. But there is something much more important.

    This Treaty is specially important because it makes the EU to be more democratic. It creates the civil initiative so a million of citizens will be able to suggest the creation of new rules; the European Parliament, our direct representative in the EU gains power and almost nothing can be...

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    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, fundamental rights, political parties, transparency, treaty


  • Europe cannot be built behind the citizens’ backs

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    Rating: 4.5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 09:36
    by franciscopolo Join PES activists in New Social Europe (845 views and 2 comments)

    Last week we had a very good article at the Spanish PES Activists site that I would like to share with you. It was writen by one of our activists in Madrid, Nebulosa, who preferred to use a nickname for work related reasons. The article treats an important subject:

    A public debate has opened up again about the new way to govern Europe. Three countries held a referendum on the old treaty for a European constitution; and while it was approved in Spain, it was turned down both in Holland and France. The new Treaty of Lisbon is not being ratified via referendums but is subject to the approval by the different Parliaments of the member States. One exception should be noted: Ireland.

    Ireland was the only country where a referendum was called, and its citizens decided to reject the Treaty. Maybe Irish voters did not take into consideration all the benefits that they have obtained from Europe, which have made their remarkable development possible. But what is happening in such Europhile countries as France and Holland for them to turn their back on building this new European Union?

    Many citizens are having opposing feelings about how to build that Europe. On the one hand, they receive positive messages (equality of 400...

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    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, EU


  • Donner un visage au PSE dans la campagne électorale

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    Rating: 4.3/5 with 8 votes

    Published Monday, June 23, 2008 at 18:26
    by chourka Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (1244 views and 12 comments)

    Plusieurs contributions (Brussels PES working group, Contribution du PS 67, contribution de la Fédération de Paris) mettent en avant la nécessité pour les partis européens à commencer par le PSE d'offrir aux électeurs un choix clairs entre la droite et la gauche.

    Toutes soulignent également qu'un mode de scrutin uniforme pour l'élection des députés européens est un objectif de plus en plus urgent de réaliser.

    Enfin, la proposition formulée par Jacques Delors de faire du chef de file du parti arrivé en tête lors des Européennes, le Président de la Commission, est littéralement plébiscitée. Se pose alors pour les partis politiques européens la question de l'organisation concrête de cette désignation.

    Pour un courant de pensée démocratique comme le socialisme, il n'est pas concevable que cela se fasse dans un conclave fermé à huis clos entre leaders des formations composant le PSE. Cela ne peut nécessairement se faire qu'à travers une consultation de l'ensemble des adhérents par un vote de désignation. A dire vrai, en tant que socialistes, nous avons une longueur d'avance par rapport aux Conservateurs et autres...

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    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, european elections, PES, transparence, UE


  • More women in European politics

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    Rating: 4/5 with 6 votes

    Published Monday, June 23, 2008 at 14:05
    by rikkeindenmark Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (1095 views and 3 comments)

    I hope that this campaign will still be relevant - in spite the depressing outcome of the referendum in Ireland (of which I will speak no more for now!).

    Danish Member of the European Parliament, Christel Schaldemose, has started a cross-party campaign for having women represented among the 4 EU top leaders which will - hopefully all! - be appointed during the next year. If the Lisbon treaty is ratified we will see the following very important EU posts:

    • A Council President (permanent President of the European Council)
    • A High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    • A President of the European Parliament
    • A Commission President

    Have you ever seen a 'family photo' from meetings in the Council? Well, if you haven't allow me to enlighten you: it's black suits, suits and more suits. There are very few women top leaders in Europe. For me there is no doubt that we need a more equal representation of women and men.

    Therefore, I encourage you to support Christel's initiative: Sign the online petition or join the

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    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, diversity, treaty


  • Europe, our beloved country

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    Rating: 4.1/5 with 7 votes

    Published Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 17:10
    by Rui Miguel in EU in the world (1025 views and 0 comments)

    The future of Europe is to become a country, not the United States of Europe but an European Union. Together we are the richest, the biggest democracy and the most powerful country in the world.

    The 21st century is the globalization century and we are killing ourselves. With some influential powerful countries arising (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and the United States, Europe as it is today will die very fast. The EU way of act is still having good results in European economies, but in a globalized world we need to have a single voice and act as a single force.

    As from the 15th century we conquered the world, we cannot allow others to conquer us. We are good but we need more. We need to act as a continental nation constructed by many others nations (Spain, UK…)!

    We Are, In Varietate Concordi

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    Tags: democracy, EU, Multilareralism


  • Pour un Président de l'UE élu en 2009 !

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    Rating: 3.3/5 with 3 votes

    Published Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 12:26
    by Maitresinh in European democracy & diversity (1164 views and 6 comments)

    Note de la rédaction : un sympathisant du PSE nous a envoyée une « lettre ouverte » qui serait intégrée à une nouvelle section de cafebabel.com, une magasine européen en ligne. Cette nouvelle section du site traiterait le thème des élections européennes de 2009.

    Pour un coup d’état démocratique européen en 2009 !

    En juin 2009, pour la septième fois dans l’histoire de l’Europe, plus de 350 millions de citoyens voteront pour nommer leurs représentants au Parlement européen.

    Trente ans se sont écoulés depuis les premières élections de 1979. Trente ans durant lesquels l’Europe et le monde ont beaucoup changé. Le Parlement européen lui aussi, de simple organe consultatif, a acquis d’année en année un pouvoir croissant au sein d’une Europe toujours plus unie.

    Institution démocratique par excellence, exprimant la volonté des citoyens européens, le Parlement demeure pourtant dans l’ombre du Conseil des ministres, assemblée qui détient le dernier mot, privant l’Europe d’un pouvoir exécutif pleinement démocratique et de...

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    Tags: commission, democracy, democratie, europe, president


  • Démocratie participative en Europe

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    Rating: 4.5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Monday, June 16, 2008 at 08:47
    by mehmetsel Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (653 views and 0 comments)

    Au lendemain de la seconde guerre mondiale l'Europe a érigé à travers la CECA (Communauté Européenne du Charbon et de l'Acier) d'abord, la CEE (Communauté économique européenne) et l'EURATOM (Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique) ensuite, une construction sans précédent qui n'est assimilable à aucune entité juridique déjà existante. Les communautés européennes constituent un phénomène unique dont les structures et le régime présentent à la fois les aspects d'une organisation internationale classique et des caractères prononcés de type fédéraliste.

    Depuis l'origine de la construction européenne, les européens s'interrogent sur les moyens d'honorer le pacte politique liant les Etats membres. La politique d'unification de l'Europe a donné lieu à de nombreuses controverses sur la nature des institutions à créer pour rassembler les peuples européens. Lorsque le marché commun fut fondé en 1957 ses initiateurs ne pensaient qu'à une coopération purement économique. Si l'on tient compte des circonstances, on peut affirmer qu'ils ont atteint leur but.

    Mais on en n'est pas rester là, l'Europe est devenu à...

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    Tags: democracy, EU, immigration


  • Ireland Decides

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    Rating: 4/5 with 1 votes

    Published Friday, June 13, 2008 at 08:52
    by Desmond O'Toole in European democracy & diversity (770 views and 1 comments)

    Well the polls have closed and the ballot boxes are now safely stored away until they are opened at 09h00 (10h00 CET) on Friday morning. As I predicted, a lot of the discussion in the media this evening has been on how many people turned out to vote. If you remember I said that the general view is that a turnout below 40% would suggest a NO vote, while a turnout above 45% would indicate a YES vote. Well, the national broadcaster, RTÉ, is reporting turnout in the region 40-45%, so I'm afraid I cannot offer even an educated guess as to how the Irish people have voted in this referendum! I will be attending the count in Dublin and we are expecting initial results to be available by lunchtime and a formal announcement of the result by about 17h00 (18h00 CET).

    One possible indicator of the result is the view of Irish bookmakers. They are offering better odds on the YES side winning and as everyone knows, bookmakers don't like to lose money. It would not be the first time that Irish bookmakers knew more than Irish politicians and journalists about how the people have voted. However, all of this is just idle speculation. We will know on Friday afternoon whether Lisbon will proceed smoothly to ratification across the EU or whether there will be a crisis for the French Presidency of the EU in Brussels.

    ... read more

    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, EU, treaty


  • Pauvre Italie, pauvre Union Européenne!

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    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 18:15
    by pamela.derosa Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (706 views and 0 comments)

    On parle de l'Europe comme un grand pays, une confédération d'États modernes qui pensent premièrement aux droits des personnes. Ce n'est pas vrai. Il y a des États qui n’appliquent pas en échec certains principes, ce qui risque de nous faire revenir en arriére.

    Évidemment, je parle de mon pays, l'Italie. C'est dommage que dans le Partito Democratico il existe des querelles par rapport aux positions politiques au niveau européen: il y a les EX-DS (Democratici di Sinistra – ex parti communiste) qui veulent appartenir au PSE et puis il y a les EX-MARGHERITA (démocratie chrétienne) qui veulent appartenir au PPE. On ne sait pas si les deux veulent prendre (ou pas) des décisions, mais – dans ce cas – la décision sur le choix d’un Parti européen n'est pas une question de mon intérêt.

    Le problème italien est le totale manque de respect pour les droits de l’Homme: les droits des homosexuels, les droits des étrangers et les droits des non catholiques.

    Il me semble que le Partito Democratico et le Popolo delle Libertà sont...

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    Tags: citizens, democracy, EU


  • Un attentat légal contre la démocratie européenne

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, June 6, 2008 at 15:30
    by yoan.abiven Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (658 views and 0 comments)

    La France réfléchit à une réforme de grande ampleur de sa constitution. Au final, ce serait près d’un tiers du texte de la Cinquième République qui serait bouleversée. Parmi les nombreux articles réformés, se trouve l'article 88-5 qui concerne la "ratification de l'adhésion d'un Etat à l'Union européenne". Un précédent gouvernement avait échafaudé ce fameux article 88-5 qui n'avait pour finalité que d'empêcher l'arrivée de la Turquie dans l'Union, et au passage de sauver la Constitution européenne, alors en débat référendaire. Nous n'eûmes hélas pas de constitution européenne, en revanche l'article 88-5, lui, a été comme gravé dans le marbre national.

    A la place, la commission des lois propose qu'en France le référendum reste obligatoire lorsque la population de cet Etat représente plus de 5 % de la population de l’Union. Et ainsi tout le monde est content, pas besoin de référendum pour les honnêtes gens des petites nations d'Europe, mais les urnes attendent les masses barbares.

    Cette disposition constitue une atteinte à cette démocratie européenne que nous, socialistes européens, entendons bâtir. Qu'à peine 50 millions d'électeurs à...

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    Tags: democracy, EU


  • Spain, a hope for social democracy in Europe

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    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 14:10
    by thanos Join PES activists in New Social Europe (666 views and 0 comments)

    Spain and its socialist government give hope to social democracy in Europe. People from the left have been disappointed...people are looking for something new and unfortunately things are not bright for socialist parties.

    However, Spain has made huge steps forward and I think labour and social democratic parties should follow this country's model.

    Zapatero not only acts but also delivers wonderful speeches. He always talks about accepting difference (gay people, disabled people, people who cannot hear or speak like the majority does...). All these things are important and they have an enormous impact on society. People listen and finally accept…

    Zapatero is a pacifist. He will never support an illegal war.

    The Spanish state has increased the percentage of the GDP dedicated to international aid.

    Women and gender equality are at the core of all government policies.

    I hope other parties will look at Spain and get inspired by this wonderful country. Problems in the world are enormous and time is limited. We have to react and change things around us.

    Let us find hope again and try to diminish human misery in our societies. Let us take care of the human being. Let us not loose the feeling of compassion.

    Spain has personally given me hope. I look at Spain and say to my self that things can change. I hope the wind of hope will soon reach my country!

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    Tags: democracy, EU


  • manifesto2009 barometer: European democracy and diversity III

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    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 10:17
    by Editor in European democracy & diversity (454 views and 0 comments)

    Many participants to the online consultation noted the need to push forward the anti-discrimination directive to deal with the increasing intolerance, homophobia and discrimination in Europe. We also need to educate people and politicians, and change backward mentalities to ensure legislation is effectively implemented. The PES should therefore produce a clear statement on this directive.

    Natalia highlighted the need to put emphasis on equality policies as a cornerstone of the PES political action: “in defining socialist policies, we have a moral obligation to work in favour of this profound social change through education, legislation and the questioning of those social models based on the so-called superiority of one sex over the other”. The case of the Spanish government, with 9 women and 8 men, and a Ministry of Equality, should be used as a best practice.

     

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    Tags: barometer, blogosphere, communication, democracy, discrimination, EU


  • Adoption of a statute for European associations

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Monday, June 2, 2008 at 17:08
    by karinedaniel Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (815 views and 1 comments)

    At a time when European institutions and all political authorities are calling to forge a European identity and bring closer together citizens of the Union, it is deeply regrettable that the Barroso Commission should have chosen to bury any discussion with a view to establish a statute of the European association.

    For associations which aim to bring together citizens from different member states across borders, this constitutes a real handicap due to the diversity of rules governing associations in different member states.

    The Commission’s argument is the complexity of the issue…We have managed to achieve the internal market, which was much more complex! We are facing here a political choice, favouring powerful NGOs and business foundations.

    We ask that the representatives of the PES, during the next mandate, act to establish a statute of the European association, to enable citizens of the Union who wish to do so, to associate freely.

    “Europe will not be created at a go ,or as a global construction: it will first proceed through concrete achievements establishing a de facto solidarity”, said Robert Schuman, one of the founding father of the EU.

    First Signatory : Jean-Marc Ayrault, Partrick Mareschal, Martine Buron,Yannick Vaugrenard, Jacques Floch, Karine... read more

    Tags: democracy, EU


  • A couple of ideas about democracy in the European Union

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 6 votes

    Published Friday, May 30, 2008 at 16:21
    by jose reis santos Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (792 views and 0 comments)

    Citizens participation in the European Union democracy is fairly weak and it continues declining election after election (63% overall in 1979, 61% in 1984, 58.5 in 1989, 56.8 in 1994, 49.8 in 1999 and 45.6 in the last 2004 elections). Since the vote is compulsory in Belgium, Italy, Luxemburg and Greece, only Ireland, Cyprus and Malta present a positive turnout.

    What can we do to change this? It is important to keep on the track of the idea expressed on the «European Democracy and Diversity» paper that suggests that the PES should present a candidate for the European Commission Presidency selected amongst all the PES national parties.

    The European campaign caravan idea should also be encouraged. This campaign would be lead by the PES candidate for the European Commission Presidency and by several candidates to the EP coming from different European countries. The caravan should have a political rally in all the countries holding elections so local candidates would join it and campaign together. Another interesting idea is the one that recommends a more intense political miscegenation between PES parties.

    Advantages are evident: the concept would be appealing to media and it would be much easier to present a Portuguese candidate to the Italian electorate.

    We want to create an electoral European level to complement national elections. This European electoral...

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    Tags: blogger of the week, democracy, diversity, EU, political parties


  • The brand 'Europe': from a 'No' to a 'Go'

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    Rating: 4.8/5 with 4 votes

    Published Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 12:25
    by bverdeyen Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (713 views and 0 comments)

    ‘Which impact does Europe and the European Union on your everyday life?’ It would be quite interesting to ask this question to people in the streets of Europe. The results would be meagre though, I fear. Knowledge of Europe and what the Union does for its inhabitants is poor. The European Union doesn’t really live in the hearts of most European, let alone to say that they feel ‘Europeans’.

    The answers, let’s say in Portugal, would be quite different from those you’d get in, let’s say, Germany. The identity of one European Union today is hardly existent. Even worse, due to (mis)communication of more locally oriented political groups, the EU is sometimes even seen as meddlesome and negative.

    Democracy begins with citizenship, but if your citizens don’t feel like a part of ‘the European Nation’, it is no wonder that referenda are treated with a resolute ‘no!’ So perhaps Europe needs to turn its’ attention towards itself again and develop it’s image within the member states.

    Better information, a stronger presence within education and clear visibility of the use in people’s everyday lives. A strong democracy and a social Europe also starts within the people’s minds and hearts.

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    Tags: citizens, democracy, EU


  • José Reis Santos: intro

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    Rating: 4.8/5 with 4 votes

    Published Monday, May 26, 2008 at 14:53
    by jose reis santos Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (876 views and 1 comments)

    I am very happy to be the blogger of the week. It is not every day that one has the opportunity to be an active part of a project as the one the PES is promoting. I am talking about the Activists Project and the Manifesto 2009. Most of the people that read and consult this blog already know all about these projects, but I would like to take a moment and think about them.

    Initial questions: what is the PES? It is the Party of the European Socialists. But is it really a party? Is it not the PES a confederation of national parties rather than a Political Party in classical terms? If we think about it and compare the party structures at a national and European level, we rapidly come to the conclusion that at a European level we are light-years away from the national organizations as they exists. Of course that one could say that we don’t need such an organized and complex party structure, because we don’t have to be prepared to exercise power. The PES is not running to govern nothing. We don’t run to manage local administrative government; as we don’t run to put forward any kind of European cabinet. We leave that responsibility to the national parties, both regarding the local and European affairs. So, what can we do as PES activists?

    Bring EU to the next level

    First we can start by thinking what the role is for political parties at an European level. When we think about the future of the European Union, do...

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    Tags: activists, Blogger of the week, democracy


  • In search of a European public: PES Group in the CoR debate on European Democracy and Diversity

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, May 23, 2008 at 15:24
    by Editor in European democracy & diversity (826 views and 0 comments)

    The second day of the extraordinary Turin meeting of the PES group in the Committee of the Regions started with a roundtable on European democracy and diversity. Four highly interesting speeches put forward some very precise ideas for the PES manifesto 2009.

    The panel was moderated by PES Group Coordinator Karl-Heinz Klär, first Vice-President of the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions and State Secretary of Rhineland-Palatinate.

    "To strengthen European democracy, we should create a new instrument, the European referendum, to be held simultaneously in all Member States on major European political issues", he argued, underlining that this would strengthen the creation of a true “European public". According to Klär, "the key challenge for the EU is to integrate diversity in Europe into a common framework of democratic rules." It is up to the local and regional authorities – as the democratic level closest to the citizens – to build on the diverse cultural foundations and traditions of the European citizens.

    Costas Simitis, former Greek Prime Minister and Member of the read more

    Tags: citizens, democracy, EU, justice


  • An EU representing our people and not our States

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    Rating: 4.5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 09:23
    by carlosmoret Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (698 views and 0 comments)

    Europe, this beautiful experience of a better place to live in.

    We inherit the word 'democracy' for our political system, and heritage is what Europe is all about. The word comes to us from the Republic of Athens, but modern day democracies took a different form.

    There was the DDR and there is the Democratic Republic of Congo. Is that what we want? A chorous will answer 'no!'

    It is the "democracy" of member states that we inherit.

    Is the Mao-Mao war or the indepencence wars of Madagascar or Algeria what we want? The Warsaw ghetto? No, although that is our heritage. Is it sending our troops to foreign lands to impose 'democracy' with missels? Is Abou-Graïb or Guantanamo the way we want to reach domestic peace?

    The principles of Modern Democracy are probably good, but in practice, 'La Raison d’Etat' those reasons that the ruler invoques when it abuses of it’s power, puts aside our fundamental rights for a superior interest, that of the State. And it trickles down to petty abuses of individual rights in the hands of a street policeman.

    Fortunately, the EU has rather clean hands, not so the individual Member States that arrive with blood stained hands. And I don’t just mean those who joined recently, I also have in mind the Founding States.

    In the aftermath of WWII, that last battle of the European Civil War, the European experience starts whith the will to finish with... read more

    Tags: citizens, democracy, UN


  • PES Women President: Gender equality is a core issue for Europe’s socialists

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    Rating: 4.8/5 with 4 votes

    Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 17:26
    by Zita_Gurmai Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (948 views and 0 comments)

    I completely agree with PES activist Natalia Reyes when she writes that gender equality should be one of the top priorities of the PES manifesto – as it is a priority for the Spanish government. Having Zapatero and PSOE in government in Spain has demonstrated that when women vote for a socialist party their lives really improve. In many ways we are experiencing the New Social Europe in Spain: Equal pay, childcare and attention to violence against women.

    The current Europe is an aging Europe: We live much longer. Long life expectancy is good news, but we have less children and the traditional family and traditional gender roles do not really exist anymore. We need women on the labour market and we need better reconciliation of work and modern family life. Women play an important role in society and should be equally represented in politics.

    Like Natalie I was glad to see that the Spanish prime minister presented a new government of equal representation: 9 women and 8 men. Women are 52 percent of the electorate which should be reflected in political representation. There is no doubt that ‘Z con... read more

    Tags: citizens, democracy, women


  • Sp.a: Social democrats should give people hope for a better future

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    Rating: 4/5 with 2 votes

    Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 10:36
    by Editor in New Social Europe (882 views and 1 comments)

    Last Wednesday evening around 18h30. In the renovated Brigittines chapel in Brussels Sp.a co-workers are getting nervous. This evening we present our input for the PES manifesto. We have worked hard to provide for an interesting program (attached), but can it compete with the beautiful spring evening?

    At 7 o’clock our fears prove to be unfounded. Sp.a International Secretary Saïd El Khadraoui can introduce the evening before approximately 80 people. We kick off with a debate about New Social Europe. Europe has done pioneering work on certain domains, but it turns out that a lot more can be gained at European level. For example, the health services directive that we are still waiting for. There is no discussion about the need for a more social approach of the Lisbon objectives. But ambitious and enforceable European objectives concerning social themes are a logical next step. The conclusions run parallel: Europe has a lot of instruments at his disposal, but lacks ambition and decisiveness when it comes to social themes. Political action pays off, that becomes clear in dossiers such as the adjusted Bolkenstein directive. As...

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    Tags: democracy, energy, environment, health, political parties, transparency, treaty, welfare

    File: manifesto_spa_FR.pdf, flyer_spa.pdf


  • Åsa Westlund: A case for Turkey and Islam in Europe

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    Rating: 3.6/5 with 5 votes

    Published Friday, May 9, 2008 at 19:05
    by asa.westlund Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (1107 views and 3 comments)

    A couple of months ago I visited Verdun in Northern France. It is an important site for all Europeans. For its historical importance and for what it means for our future. Just outside the town, the battle of Verdun took place during the First World War. It was one of the most important, but also deadliest, battles of the war raging from 21 February until 15 December 1916. The losses in the war in the trenches were enormous. In Verdun, the dead were counted in hundreds of thousands.

    To understand Europe today, it is important to visit places like Verdun in order to u