Lisbon Treaty : Why European Socialists and Social Democrats support the European Reform Treaty ?

The President of the PES in favour of the Reform Treaty’s ratification

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has been president of the Party of European Socialists since 2004 and Head of delegation for the Danish Social Democrats in the European Parliament. He was Danish prime minister from 1993 to 2001.
The Reform Treaty is a compromise. This means it is far from perfect but all the same we support it. Why ? For two reasons. First, it reflects our fundamental values. Second, it makes the institutional and organisational changes Europe needs to enable it to tackle the real issues facing our continent and liberates Europe from an impasse. The reform treaty gives us a better basis than the Nice Treaty to fight for our social democratic vision and goals.

A EUROPE OF VALUES

The Reform Treaty safeguards the values of our welfare states in Europe

The European Union will be more than just an open market. The draft Treaty provides a solid basis for promoting a more social Europe instead of social dumping. Among the objectives of the Union, as defined in the reform treaty, will be the promotion of a social market economy, full employment, the fight against social exclusion, the promotion of justice and social protection, and of solidarity between generations.

It gives a legal basis for the role of the social partners and social dialogue. Economic, social and regional cohesion will be among the long to the list of competences shared between the Union and the Member States. This means stronger solidarity between regions and Member States.

The Reform Treaty provides the legal basis for the provision of services of general interest all over Europe – enabling social democrats to protect public services.

The Treaty talks about a Europe based on the equality of the men and women, and that works to achieve full employment through sustainable economic and social development. Full employment requires a comprehensive approach to economic policy. The Reform Treaty provides the legal basis for that. European governments and institutions will be able to cooperate better on employment and economic policies under the new Treaty.

Europe : a progressive global player

The Reform Treaty defines Europe’s role for peace in the world. With it Europe accepts its responsibility, in line with the UN Charter, for promoting peace, respect for international law and human rights, for sustainable development, fair trade, and the abolition of poverty. The new Treaty strengthens Europe’s role in conflict prevention and disarmament.

The new Treaty outlines a common foreign and security policy for the European Union. As far as policies are concerned, the creation of a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the possibility of cooperation on defence are an advance in common foreign and security matters. The new Treaty sets a firm foundation for Europe as a responsible global player for peace and security.

With the addition to the objectives of the Union’s foreign policy of climate protection, sustainable development, fair trade, the protection of fundamental rights, the rights of children and respect for international law, Europe is adopting a progressive, social democratically inspired, basis for external policy-making.

BETTER DECISION-MAKING FOR REAL ACTION !

Europe faces real challenges. Challenges that member states cannot resolve alone. Climate change and other environmental problems, security of energy supplies, immigration and human trafficking, terrorism, organised crime, all require decisive action from Europe – and a European Union that is capable of making the decisions required.

The institutional changes made by the reform treaty liberates Europe from an impasse and enables the European Union of 27 to take the decisions it needs.

The political will may still need to be found in some or many cases, but the treaty removes some key obstacles and blocking points.

The new Treaty is a step towards more effective and democratic European institutions – giving greater ability to move, and greater credibility in taking action.

The European Parliament’s election of the Commission president, taking into account the European election results, is democratic progress.

The Union will acquire a full-time President of the European Council, who will be able to coordinate the European policy of governments more efficiently.

The Union will acquire its own High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who will be able to instil greater solidarity within the foreign, security and defence policy.

The Council’s decision-making capacity is increased with the extension of qualified majority voting..

The adoption of all EU legislation will be subject to the prior scrutiny of national Parliaments. This procedure will help to draw national policies and European political horizons more closely together.

The Parliament will decide, jointly with the Council, on over 95 per cent of EU law : more than double the current figure.

THE PES WILL CAMPAIGN FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE NEW TREATY

Across Europe, PES member parties will support the ratification of the new European Treaty. Whether in government or in opposition, we have achieved a common resolve that places the European left firmly on the side of people’s fundamental rights and interests.

This won’t always be easy. This campaign should be taken as a positive challenge, a unique opportunity for our parties, to bring Europe, and the European center left, closer to the people.

Europe’s socialists and social democrats do not support the policies of the European Union uncritically. As long as a majority of Europeans feel that the Union is a remote, bureaucratic, and not entirely democratic project of the political elites, we cannot be content with the situation. Europe’s socialists continue to fight for the kind of society in which we all want to live : a democratic, pluralistic and free society, a prosperous and socially just society. For that effort the reform treaty is a better base.