European Parliament elections at 1st glance Contents

Socialist Social Democrat Centre Left Christian Democrat Centre-right Liberal Centrist Conservative right-wing (further right than the EPP) Green Centre left to leftist Communist Far left Populist-Eurosceptic-nationalist Socialist Social Democrat Centre Left Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Socialist Social- Economic policies Corporate governance policies 20.1% Democrat – Bigger EU budget – Protect whistleblowers 142 seats Centre-Left – Stronger financial regulation for banks Competition policies 2014 results (if the UK leaves the EU, then the Party/group Digital policies – Not in the manifesto, but the Spitzenkandidat said on the number of seats will fall – Create long-term investment plan to prepare for digital record that it is wrong to call for a change of the competition Party of European to 705 from 751) Socialists (S&D) revolution and AI rules following the blocked Siemens-Alstom merger – We need ‘another industrial policy’ it is ‘completely wrong’ 25.43% – Fight fake news to use Siemens-Alstom as an example of why this is needed, 191 seats Climate/environment policies he said Our expectation: what – Create long-term investment plan to prepare for green Trade policies does it mean in practice transition – Again not in manifesto, but the Spitzenkandidat is in favour for business – Adopt a sustainable development pact and a just transition of international trade and concluding free-trade agreements With the Socialists fund (FTAs) expected to lose a – EU to lead in renewables and become climate-neutral by significant number of votes, Spitzenkandidat (if – Believes the FTAs negotiated by the Commission would need 2050 MEPs from this group are applicable) to be better explained to voters and more transparent, – New tax on CO2 emissions because EU citizens fear international trade will ‘undermine likely to keep pushing for initiatives popular to their – Plan for affordable housing and clean public transport their jobs, social and environmental standards and conflicts would not be dealt with by judges’ voting base, especially in – Reform of agricultural policy relation to: – In favour of a ‘democratization’ of the trade rules: ie that the Social policies Commission would need to ask the European Parliament – better protection of social – No job without a contract (and not only the Council) for a mandate rights of workers; – No job without a fair salary – In favour of opening trade negotiations with the US (unlike – overhaul of the corporate Frans taxation rules to ensure – Ban on zero-hours contracts and fake self-employment some Socialist MEPs in parliament) Timmermans ‘fair and transparent’ – In favour of maintaining WTO rules and multilateralism (Dutch) Tax policies taxation of – Common European approach to ensure a proper level of – The challenge is that trade policies should not go against EU multinationals; effective taxation and stop downward corporate tax social and environmental standards – focus on stringent competition environmental and energy policies to fight climate change; and – strong financial regulation. Christian Democrat Centre-right Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Christian-Democrat Economic policies Tax policies 26.7% Centre-right – Enforce EU economic rules on member states’ public finances – Introduce a Digital Fair Tax 188 seats – Strengthen European tools to combat economic shocks including – Work for an OECD-level solution for fighting tax evasion and 2014 results (if the UK Party/group by turning the European Stability Mechanism into a European eliminating tax havens leaves the EU, then the European People’s Party Monetary Fund and setting up the European Deposit Insurance number of seats will fall Corporate governance policies (EPP) Scheme to 705 from 751) – Not in manifesto – Deepen Eurozone integration 29.43% Competition policies Digital policies 221 seats – Forward-looking European industrial and competition policy to – Increase investment in AI and foster human-centred innovations allow global champions to be built in Europe, and to challenge Our expectation: what (where people come first) competitors like China and the US while defending strategically does it mean in practice – Modernise EU legislation to ensure fitness for important European sectors against unfair practices for business technological changes While the EPP will be the Spitzenkandidat – Not in manifesto but the Spitzenkandidat said on the record that biggest party, it may not be (if applicable) – Create a true European Innovation Union to remain competitive we need to think about a potential veto mechanism on deals (not at the global level to the Council though) able to push its agenda through without coming – Ensure all regions benefit from digital infrastructure – Propose new legislation on mergers for the next closer to the centre ground and education five years or aligning with the farther – Protect privacy to enhance online trust Trade policies right. Climate/environment policies – Negotiate new and additional free and fair-trade agreements, During the next mandate, – Effective price on CO2 with a well-functioning emissions trading alongside ongoing talks with Mercosur, Australia and New we can expect the EPP to Manfred Weber system and incentivise emission reductions in EU industries and Zealand, including with the US (without lowering standards) push strongly for: (Germany) the energy sector – Close relationship with the UK post-Brexit while maintaining – commencement of full – Enable investments and innovation in all technological solutions integrity of the EU trade negotiations with to low-carbon mobility – Qualified majority voting to be adopted for foreign policy the US; – Safeguard supply of energy to Europe at affordable prices – competition rules to be Functioning of EU institutions – Modernise the Common Agricultural Policy updated to facilitate the – Give the European Parliament the right to initiate legislation building of European – Defend standards for agriculture, fisheries and food quality – Improve national and regional parliaments’ involvement in champions; and – Protect health against lower-quality imports law-making and oversight – a European Monetary Social policies Fund. – Equal opportunities for women in the labour market through equal pay for equal work and greater choice on balancing work and caring responsibilities – Help for those who lose jobs through digitisation and globalisation by increasing the European Fund for Transition – Improve trade defence and systematic foreign investment screening to protect workers from anti-dumping, delocalisation and technology sell-out Liberal Centrist Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Liberal Economic policies Climate/environment policies 10.21% Centrist – Support SMEs, ‘the backbone of prosperity in Europe’ – The EU’s budget to only support programmes in line with 72 seats Party/group – Create jobs through easier access to finance, simpler rules the EU’s climate and energy objectives 2014 results (if the UK Alliance of Liberals and for investment funds – Ensure transition to a resource-efficient circular economy leaves the EU, then the Democrats for – Encourage knowledge and technology transfer from universities – Follow the Paris Agreement to avoid costly lock-ins to number of seats will fall Europe (ALDE) and research institutes high-carbon investments to 705 from 751) – Manage EU funds effectively to ensure the EU budget delivers on – EU to take global leadership in setting ambitious 8.92% issues that matter to citizens international targets 67 seats – Develop loans/guarantees to mobilise private capital and – Complete the Energy Union Our expectation: what incentivise innovation – Move to foster R&D in low emission technologies, does it mean in practice – Continue to reconstruct the Economic and Monetary infrastructure, clean energy production, energy efficiency for business Union (EMU) and a reduction of industry and transport emissions Overall, ALDE is expected Spitzenkandidat (if – Rapid implementation of a Banking Union in the Eurozone, including aviation and shipping to retain the role of applicable) based on strengthening the responsibility of owners and – Strengthen the EU Emissions Trading System - where ‘kingmaker’ – can make a No Spitzenkandidat appointed creditors possible extend its scope e.g. transport vote go in one direction or but a team – Reform the European Stability Mechanism into a European – By 2050 the EU to be a carbon neutral economy with its another. of seven senior EU figures Monetary Fund energy system fully based on renewable energy: complete ALDE focuses on its forming – Stable framework for sustainable investments and finance the single European energy market with free flows of traditional liberal and ‘Team Europe’. They are renewable energy now pro-European stances in described as ‘a group of seven Digital policies – Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared favour of free markets, passionate leaders as diverse – Invest in research and innovation to 1990 levels open competition and as Europe itself, ready to trade. It also has a strong – Reach the target of 3% of EU GDP invested in research and – Push for more zero-emission vehicles and decarbonisation of renew Europe and lead the focus on digital issues such development by 2020 all transport modes ALDE electoral campaign’. as blockchain and AI. These – Enable self-driving vehicles Some are also running for issues are expected to MEP in their member state. – Build a fully-functioning Digital Single Market remain high on the – Abolish geoblocking political agenda thanks to – Harmonise data protection policies ALDE impetus. – Ensure free access to information while guaranteeing IP rights – Create a legal framework for blockchain, artificial intelligence and others without stifling innovation – Develop defenses against hybrid activities: disinformation Nicola Beer Emma campaigns, cyber espionage, cyber-attacks and crime (Germany) Bonino – Develop a secure digital identity for Europeans to be able to log (Italy) in and sign documents safely – Digitise all public services Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Social policies Trade policies – “A Europe that renews its promise of a strong social – EU to set global standards in international trade and contract for a competitive economy” promote free and rules-based trade – Strengthen our knowledge economy by investing in – Push for modern and progressive free trade agreements research and innovation and equipping EU workforce with - content to be explained in clear language to the public Violeta Bulc Katalin Cseh the right set of skills for the 21st century – Support the European Commission negotiate more trade (Slovenia) (Hungary) Tax policies deals – future agreements should preserve human dignity and human working conditions, sustainability and – Not in manifesto anti-corruption Corporate governance policies EU institutions functioning – Not in manifesto – EU to encourage decentralisation and diversity, not Competition policies burdensome bureaucracy and over-regulation – Encourage competition among companies in the digital – More transparent and efficient EU institutions Luis Garicano Guy space – European Parliament to only have one seat in Brussels (Spain) Verhofstadt – Prevent development of monopolies in the digital space – Give the European Parliament the right to initiate (Belgium) – Ensure competition to develop innovative services legislation – Ensure more transparency of negotiations and voting within the Council – Better promote the positive impact of EU policies and co-operation on the lives of citizens

Margrethe Vestager (Denmark) Conservative right-wing (further right than the EPP) Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Conservative Economic policies Competition policies 7.5 % right-wing (further right – Against reform of competition policy to facilitate 53 seats than the EPP) – No further integration of the Eurozone European champions (if the UK Digital policies 2014 results Party/group Trade policies leaves the EU, then the – Not in manifesto European – Pro-trade number of seats will fall to Conservatives and Climate/environment policies 705 from 751) – Supportive of opening EU market to non-EU products in a Reformists – Protection of wildlife and endangered animals 9.3% Group (ECR) limited and controlled way, whilst ensuring EU products – Lowering emissions through the ETS have improved access to non-EU markets 70 seats Spitzenkandidat (if – Balance between ensuring a prosperous fishing sector, – Believes EU should retaliate against US tariffs Our expectation: what applicable) meeting the demands of consumers and ensuring Functioning of the EU institutions does it mean in practice sustainability for business – General review of the EU institutions and agencies, as well – Diversification of energy supply, particularly away from as a freeze on new proposals, aside from those agreed Current polling suggests the Russia, and opposition to Nordstream II unanimously by the council ECR will fall from being the third largest party to the Social policies – Opposition for increased use of qualified fifth, with the Greens and – Not in manifesto majority voting far-left only a few seats Tax policies – In favour of ‘multi-speed’ EU behind. The eventual loss of Jan Zahradil – Tax competition is one of the sources of European the UK Conservative Party (Czech Republic) prosperity and should remain a member state competency not only will affect the ECR number of seats but also Corporate governance policies their agenda and the way – Protecting whistleblowers businesses interact with them. They are expected to maintain the UK Conservative MEPs’ pro- business stance (fighting for de-regulation) but, depending on the parliamentary arithmetic, we might see the ECR shift further to the right and align with populist parties to oppose: – economic, fiscal and political integration; – institutional reform; and – reform of competition law to facilitate the building of European champions. Green Centre-left to leftist Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Green Economic policies – Pilot universal basic income and working-time reduction schemes 6.9% Centre-left to leftist – Invest in a just green economy, research and innovation – Guarantee social protection for young people through minimum 52 seats income, and basic income pilots Party/group – Promote green manufacturing and finance without greenwashing 2014 results (if the UK European Green Party/ – Develop adequate infrastructure: emphasis to be put on research Tax policies leaves the EU, then the Green-European Free and eco-innovation – Fair taxation of air travel number of seats will fall Alliance to 705 from 751) – Europe to move away from fossil fuels by pulling private and public – Non-recyclable plastics to be taxed or banned Spitzenkandidat (if 6.6% funds from fossil investments – Develop tax regimes that do not benefit large multinationals and applicable) 50 seats Digital policies wealthy individuals – Create an effective and independent EU authority to supervise the – Continue to crack down on tax havens, tax evasion, tax avoidance Our expectation: what digital sector to control and limit the market power of big and money laundering does it mean in practice corporations – Introduce an EU digital tax for business The Greens are focused on Climate/environment policies – Against unfair tax competition between member states the fight against climate – Phase out coal by 2030 and other fossil fuels soon thereafter change. As a result the Bas Eickhout – Phase out nuclear energy Corporate governance policies promotion of biodiversity (Netherlands) – Promote energy efficiency – Ensure protection of activists, journalists and whistle-blowers and clean energy will be at the core of the next – Move to 100% renewables Competition policies mandate of the European – Promote a just transition to a carbon-neutral circular economy – Not in manifesto but the Spitzenkandidat Bas Eickhout is against Parliament and through a Green New Deal giving individual member states the power to overrule a Commission. Compromises – Cut emissions fast enough to reach the 1.5C limit by promoting a Commission decision because ‘that’s the end of the internal market will have to be found and it just transition towards a net-zero- and competition rules’ remains to be seen how emissions economy – There should be ‘more room for political context around global coalitions would be formed, Ska Keller – Develop an EU carbon budget and a strong carbon floor price competition’ in competition policies but it should remain ‘in the but the Greens’ long- (Germany) hands of the Commission’ – Develop sustainable alternatives to plastic and increase recycling standing proposals on these targets – ‘Important to base competition on strict rules but can’t hurt to have issues cannot be ignored. a bit more flexibility […] when there is a political judgement to be – Create a new environmental action programme made at a certain moment’ – Ban the most poisonous pesticides as soon as possible Trade policies – Link EU agricultural policy support to environmental and climate protection (safeguard water, invest in animal welfare, protect – Not in manifesto but Eickhout believes that ‘trade is a means to biodiversity and refrain from using GMOs) achieve something, not a target on its own’ – Trade agreements must not undermine environmental and social Social policies progress – Create sustainable jobs in regions affected by the phasing out of – Ready to impose tariffs against the US if needed fossil energy – Fight social dumping – SDG should be at the core of trade policy – Secure fair pay, union rights and decent Functioning of the EU institutions working conditions – Ensure more EU institutional transparency – Adopt a minimum income directive, respecting national social – Impose transparency of lobbying activities security systems – European Parliament should be able to remove underperforming – Develop fairly paid sick leave and fair parental leave in all countries Commissioners Communist Far left Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Communist Economic policies – Protect the sea and use marine resources in a non-exploitative way 7.2% Far left – Change the ECB’s mission to include employment – Fight against marine pollution and protect oil, mining 51 seats and gas reserves Party/group goals and override its autonomy in favour of true 2014 results (if the UK Spitzenkandidat (if democratic accountability Tax policies leaves the EU, then the applicable) – Abolish the fiscal and growth pact – Secure adequate salaries and universal access to pensions number of seats will fall to 705 from 751) – End austerity – Take concrete measures against poverty 6.9% Prioritise a social public investment programme – Impose a Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) 52 seats – Mimic the forms of economic and social alternatives that emerged – Develop a minimum tax for large corporates from the experiences of social co-operatives and the self- – Take measures against tax evasion and end tax havens Our expectation: what management of recovered factories does it mean in practice Corporate governance policies Violeta Tomic – Stop the development of a two-speed Europe – ‘we work for all for business (Slovenian) countries in Europe to develop in a co-operative way’ – Impose public country-by-country reporting ‘defining obligations of The GUE are expected to full transparency for the strategies of the big companies acting in – Use EU budget for solidarity and redistribution through remain a marginal force in Europe’ ‘the democratic control of financial markets and the public, the European Parliament democratic ownership of banks’ – Strengthen the fight against corruption through independent with limited influence on control policy-making. However, in – Set out a European conference on public debt to finalise and put in the likely scenario of a place structural and long-term solutions for its restructuring and – Respect popular sovereignty and promote citizens’ involvement in more fragmented reduction EU decision-making parliament, finding – Legally protect whistleblowers and journalists Digital policies alliances will be more Nico Cue – Equal rights of access to cultural resources (including information Competition policies difficult and GUE MEPs, (Belgium) and digital platforms) – Not in manifesto who are broadly pro- European, will probably be – Promote digital democracy, internet neutrality and freedom of Trade policies speech needed to secure voting – Fight against free trade agreements majority on specific Climate/environment policies – International trade agreements which threaten agriculture, proposals, with other – Prevent privatisation of natural resources and public goods industry, audio-visual broadcasting, workers’ rights, the groups (such as the S&D, – Create a fundamental right of access to energy and water environment, and culture must be rescinded Greens, ALDE and even EPP) on some particular issues. – Reduce dependence on fossil fuels – Suspend EU association agreements with countries that violate human rights and/or occupy disputed territories, notably Israel and – Develop short production and consumption circuits to minimise the use of resources Morocco – Fight climate change by developing true renewable energies and Functioning of EU institutions energy savings, improvement of public transport, and against new – Not in manifesto market solutions to carbon emissions – Develop economically and ecologically sustainable agriculture Populist-Eurosceptic- nationalist Ideology Select key priorities affecting business Projection for 2019 (in % and number of seats)

Populist/ There is no common manifesto yet and the formation of a Social policies EFDD Eurosceptic/ new political group(s) cannot occur until after the election (a AfD 30 seats nationalist group needs to have at least 25 MEPs representing at least a 4.26% quarter of EU member states). It is therefore too early to – Reject standardisation of social security systems Party/group determine key priorities, although the manifestos of some – Restrict wage dumping through additional controls on ENF Pre-election: flagship national parties (eg the German Alternativ für temporary work contracts for low-paid foreign workers 61 seats EFDD (Europe of Freedom and Deutschland (AfD) and the French Rassemblement National RN 8.65% Direct Democracy) (RN)) gives some indication of their direction of travel and – Reject standardisation of social and fiscal systems to 2014 results (if the UK leaves the ENF (Europe of Nations and possible points of (dis)agreement. preserve French interests EU, then the number of seats will Freedom) Economic policies – Repeal the Directive on Posted Workers fall to 705 from 751) Post-election (possibly): AfD EFDD European Alliance of Peoples Tax policies – Reintroduction of national currency while maintaining the 48 and Nations (EAPN) AfD euro in parallel – Work for an OECD-level solution for fighting tax evasion 6.39% Spitzenkandidat (if – Rejection of EU rules on the resolution of banks and role of and eliminating tax havens ENF applicable) the ECB in supervising banking – Support a financial transaction tax, if introduced at all - 24 seats N/A RN trading venues, also outside the EU, and collected - 4.1% – Decrease French contribution to the EU budget nationwide Our expectation: what does it – Align monetary creation with the real economy rather RN mean in practice for business than finance – Decrease tax for French citizens Current talks between national parties – Include the fight against unemployment in the missions of – Decrease tax for SMEs within these groups are ongoing (such the ECB as Italy’s Lega and Germany’s AfD, Competition policies Digital policies both members of the EFDD, and Italy’s AfD AfD Movimento 5 Stelle and Austria’s FPÖ, – Public procurement in critical areas should be geared – Increased independence from foreign hardware and both members of the ENF). Bringing towards long-term strategic and security considerations software together these parties has been RN historically difficult, notably because – Avoid over-regulation of tech sector – End dogma of free competition their views on social, economic and Climate/environment policies environmental policy – Give priority to French companies in public procurement AfD differ widely. – Recognise the ‘national responsibility of companies’ to – Reject Paris climate agreement and decarbonisation encourage virtuous behaviours (such as refusal of However, the trick will likely be – Favour mixture of energy sources, including through delocalisation and hiring of domestic workers) uniting everyone around a common Nordstream II and the development of new types of interest (opposing the EU’s position). If nuclear reactors effective, this could result in legislative paralysis. Such group(s) would attempt RN to slow down the EU’s agenda and – Favour local production and consumption by de-taxing oppose any form of economic, fiscal short/local production circuits and over-taxing globalised and political integration. and non-sustainable imports