By Martin Banks - 11th May 2009
Europeans are in no mood to celebrate
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
Danish MEP Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has called for 'social justice' issues to be put "at the heart" of the upcoming European elections.
The former Danish prime minister said the PES manifesto for the 4-7 June election "promotes social justice by making 12 concrete proposals", including the introduction of a minimum wage and the protection of public services.
His comments were timed to coincide with Europe Day on Saturday, which marks the day in 1950 when the Schuman declaration was signed.
Writing on his blog, Rasmussen, touted as a possible future commission president, said, "Europeans are in no mood to celebrate.
"The financial crisis threatening our savings and pensions has been superceded by an economic crisis threatening our jobs.
“There is a growing belief among citizens that Europe, which has had a conservative majority in all EU institutions for the last five years, puts the market before people.
“With unemployment looming towards 27 million next year, and 74 million Europeans already living below the poverty line, Europe’s future is at the crossroads.
"There is a real risk of deep and permanent divides in our societies. We must put the fight for social justice back at the heart of European politics.
“The European conservatives say in their manifesto that a high level of social contributions ‘is a handicap for the creation of wealth’. We disagree.”
“It is not just a difference in rhetoric. Take a look at the votes in parliament. When European Socialists voted to exclude social services from the infamous services directive, the conservatives voted against.
"When European socialists voted for an average 48 hour working week with no opt outs the conservatives voted against. When European socialists voted for a new directive against discrimination outside the workplace the conservatives voted against.
"Just this week Conservatives refused to vote for strengthening rights to maternity leave.”
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