2019 Manifesto EUROPEAN ELECTIONS “The Peoples of Europe Need Your Vote
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2019 Manifesto EUROPEAN ELECTIONS “The peoples of Europe need your vote. EFA - For another Europe.” Content 2019 Manifesto Introduction by EFA President Jordi Solé 4 1 - Self-determination: a right for all peoples 6 2 - A Europe of all peoples 8 3 - A plan for peace and freedom for Europe 10 4 - Building a sustainable world 12 5 - From linguistic diversity to linguistic justice 14 6 - Promoting gender equality 16 7 - Restoring dignity and equality 18 8 - Democratic processes and participatory democracy 20 9 - International solidarity 22 10 - Empowering Young People 24 EFA 26 Introduction Building a Europe fit unity in diversity for all its Peoples Europe is deeply diverse and it’s thanks to all the Through referendums in Scotland in 2014 and Cat- more and more freedom and — through either inde- At a time when these questions are intensely rele- different groups of people who helped build its his- alonia in 2017, the right of self-determination was pendence or full autonomy — the ability to exercise vant, it is important for our group in the European tory. And it is only by championing “unity in diver- exercised in a democratic and exemplary manner. their right to decide their own futures. Parliament to bring more weight to bear. To do so, we sity”, as the EU’s own motto states, that Europe will Respect for the choices taken by these peoples need to have higher numbers and be better united. succeed in building a future in which human rights forms the very basis of democracy. The European institutions are therefore in need of and fundamental freedoms are respected for all. comprehensive reform so that all of Europe’s peo- This 2019 EFA manifesto lays the policy founda- Catalonia — a victim of repression over half a cen- ples can participate in the decisions that concern tions for this group. It will provide a common basis But a Europe of States stifles the diversity of all tury — will be a key issue for the European Union them. The EFA is the party and political grouping throughout the 2019-2024 parliamentary term. European peoples. Our political party, the European in the forthcoming parliamentary session. The EU’s that, since the first directly elected European Par- Free Alliance, is the voice democratic credibility is at stake, as Spain regresses liament, has most consistently promoted this mes- Our political party is the for those peoples that are towards an authoritarian regime and casts aside sage as essential to Europe’s future. Our Members Jordi Solé voice for those peoples that struggling with central gov- respect for the fundamental freedoms that Europe of the European Parliament have defended all the Jordi Solé, ERC, are struggling with central ernments to secure recog- has a duty to ensure. peoples, nations and minorities that the Europe of President of EFA nition of their rights. States overlooks. governments to secure We also need to find an answer that enables the recognition of their rights. The most important of those Scottish people to remain in the European Union rights is the right to decide despite Brexit, in accordance with the will of the your own destiny — the right of self-determination. great majority of Scotland’s citizens. In its latest term, the European Parliament saw Beyond these two symbolic cases, historical groups events that were entirely new to the European Union: of European people throughout the Union are seeking 4 - 2019 Manifesto EFA 1 - Self-determination youdecide.now A right for all peoples The European Free Alliance unites political parties of European states. It allows all peoples to choose In a truly diverse and “The EFA believes Nation-building in the 21st century must in- working across different types of institutional real- what is best for them, for their development, and in united Europe, national that all peoples volve all of the nation’s citizens. Respective ities. Work to improve the prospects for all Europe- some cases their survival. and regional identity go diasporas must also be recognised, allowing ans depends on the EFA’s unfailing support for the hand-in-hand with Eu- have the right people to reconnect with those abroad or inte- right to self-determination. The EFA believes that The EFA supports the peoples, nations and regions ropean identity. The con- to choose their grating them back if they wish to do so. all peoples have the right to choose their own des- that are acting democratically and that respect the cept of national identity own destiny and tiny and an institutional framework that empowers European Convention on Human Rights. Equal rights, must also be renewed an institutional them. dignity and respect for diversity are the principles over time. By creating a underlying the right of self-determination. sense of belonging to a framework that Whether this involves respect of linguistic and community with a shared empowers them.“ cultural rights, devolution, expansion of regional Changing the European political project is one of the destiny, we can ensure or federal powers, demands for autonomy, or the objectives of the European Free Alliance. We believe that new populations who settle in our regions and achievement of independence through referen- that the Europe of old nation-states no longer sat- stateless nations are not ignored. dum — all proposals that allow groups of people isfies the democratic demand for empowerment to express themselves and define their own insti- among Europe’s peoples. tutions in a democratic, transparent, gradual and peaceful way must be supported. The recognition and support of Europe’s peoples, regions, nations and stateless nations is needed to Self-determination is a principle, enshrined in in- restore public confidence in the EU and promote a ternational law, that can be adapted to the different new 21st century democracy that makes the Euro- situations faced by peoples under the jurisdiction pean project a success for everyone. 6 - 2019 Manifesto EFA 2019 Manifesto EFA - 7 2 - A Europe youdecide.now of all peoples A Europe of all peoples is a Europe that makes no it is fundamental that Europe accepts and includes ALL groups have direct participation, with voice and distinction between peoples, without creating all peoples in the decision-making process, so as to vote, in the decisions affecting them. categories or second-class citizens. The EFA wants build a democratic Europe of peace, respect and sol- another Europe, a different Europe, which recog- idarity. The EFA defends a Europe in which the European nises the universality of all people as well as their Parliament has the clear and logical right to initi- distinct identities. The EFA would like to build a resolutely social Europe, ate new legislation, and where the legislative pro- a welcoming Europe, a Europe that is prosperous for cess in the Council is transparent. The president of Since it was founded in 1981, the European Free Alli- every one of its citizen and that respects its own plu- the European Commission should be elected dem- ance has always believed that the European project rality. Euroscepticism and/or anti-EU populism do ocratically. must be based on the well-being and diversity of its not bring solutions. Europe must invest more in its peoples. The European Union can communities by empowering the social fabric and It is TIME for the European Union to work The EFA wants another no longer satisfy itself with just building ties between people. An inclusive approach for all peoples in Europe. Europe, a different being a union of nation-states that welcomes new citizens is essential to strength- that promote their own inter- ening our sense of identity and community. Europe, which recognises ests. The EFA has a broader, the universality of all more inclusive vision of Europe To reinforce the role of ALL peoples, sub-state people as well as their that recognises and fosters its nations and/or regions with legislative powers must distinct identities. diversity. play a role in European decision-making. They should be given a strengthened presence in an “Assembly By being profoundly pro-Euro- of Regions and Peoples,” replacing the toothless pean, we support a Europe for everyone. For the EFA Committee of the Regions. This would ensure that 8 - 2019 Manifesto EFA 2019 Manifesto EFA - 9 3 - A plan for Peace youdecide.now & Freedom for Europe The European Union was founded after the Second institutions if it wants to defend democracy, peace Cultural and linguistic diversity, social justice and World War to secure peace as well as economic and and freedom within its borders. the right of self-determination are inter-related. social prosperity. Its principle missions are to main- A new project for the Europe of Peoples is needed tain peace within its borders, defend values such as The European Union today faces rising international to meet the democratic challenges and provide the democracy internationally, and to ensure the rule tensions. The migration crisis inside the Union, the empowerment that Europe’s peoples aspire to. of law, respect for human rights and fundamental jihadi threat, and the question of internal enlarge- freedoms. Unfortunately, the EU institutions and ment posed by Scotland and Catalonia The EFA seeks a modern, ambitious and prosperous member states fall short of defending these core — it is time to construct another Europe. Europe, not just economically, but also socially and values and civil liberties. Instead, the EU positions democratically. It calls on the European Union to be itself in opposition to a Europe of the Peoples. The EFA supports a Europe that can meet the chal- more than ever a Europe of all peoples and regions lenges of the 21st century.