Relaunching social Europe

France should focus on improving people’s lives during its six months in the hot-seat, says Martin Schulz

The Irish ‘no’ to the Lisbon treaty on 13 June came like a thunder-clap for Europe.

The decision of the Irish people poses a double challenge for France as it takes up the EU presidency on 1 July. The French presidency must open the way towards a solution to the Irish problem while keeping alive the ratification process of the treaty.

At the same time it must also lead an ambitious programme of negotiations on energy and climate change, immigration and reform of the common agricultural policy amongst other issues.

To Socialists, the Irish ‘no’, following on from the French and Dutch rejection of the draft European constitution in 2005, calls for other priorities.

The fact that a majority of Irish workers rejected the Lisbon treaty confirms that we need a more social Europe which can address the uncertainties of the daily lives of its citizens on matters such as the increased cost of foodstuffs and petrol.

We cannot hope to reconcile our citizens with the European project without progress in social affairs. We expect the French presidency to bring forward measures strengthening European works councils and protecting temporary workers.

We hope that the French presidency draws the necessary consequences of recent decisions of the European court of justice concerning national systems of negotiating collective agreements in the open market.

Faced with the development of ‘casino capitalism’ speculation and its effects on basic foodstuffs, we demand clearer and more transparent rules in the financial markets.

If the French presidency goes in this direction, it can count on the support of the Socialists.