The Union of European Federalists launches the Manifesto for European Elections
The Union of European Federalists today publishes its manifesto for the European Parliament elections. Stronger Together in a Federal Europe responds to the current crises of the economy, climate and international security by calling for the European Union to strengthen its system of government.
In a 12 point strategy, the UEF calls for the rapid entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. It supports the stronger regulation at the EU level of the financial sector and calls for a common macro-economic policy, including the launch of EU bonds, the completion of the single market, a reformed EU budget and a uniform approach by the eurozone to global financial negotiations.
Andrew Duff MEP, President of the UEF, says:
Europe faces a stark choice. Either we pull more closely together, unifying our resources and intensifying our resolve, or we fall apart. The UEF addresses this manifesto to the parties and candidates who are fighting the elections in June.
The European Union which emerges from the present slump must be better equipped to rectify its causes. This means not only unity in economic and monetary policy but also European leadership in combating climate change and a much larger security and defence dimension to the EU's external action.
The old EU treaties have not provided a system of governance which is tough enough to cope with present day conditions. Lisbon is therefore a necessity.
European federalists will play a critical part within our different parties during the forthcoming election campaign and in the next European Parliament. We appeal to voters not to fall prey to the simplistic temptations of demagogic nationalists, but to resist isolationism and protectionism. Europeans will be stronger together.
Share 
Libertas: eurosceptic, but first real europarty?
Got a solution for a powerful Europe?
Lisbon treaty says: European institutions
What the fridge is the European parliament?
Exclusive: Barroso on the Lisbon treaty, Croatia and Brussels
Confusion over the future of the Lisbon treaty
Comments
Interesting to see the UEF manifesto. Just downloaded it, I can't find anything about Eurobonds, apart from the comment supporting them in this article. Did the UEF adopt a position on them?
I am convinced that Eurobonds as they are imagined by Eurozone leaders currently cannot be enough, and that they will cause a gaping unequality between old and new MS. Or more precisely, between euro-and non-eurozone states.
Sian Ley Berry was wondering in his blog what would be the cost of one or more Central or Eastern European Country (CEEC) going bust.
http://blogs.euobserver.com/berry/2...
I think it's important the the UEF has a careful position on eurobonds. I think they make a lot of sense if they are a way to raise capital for the European budget, which would then be spent at least proportionally in the Union, and at best be used more for CEEC states.
Eurobonds as they are curently proposed by Juncker and Cie would widen the gap between old and new member states and should be something we ought to be careful of.
Why was my comment about Eurobonds deleted?
I'll repeat myself:
I think Eurobonds in their current proposed form are indeed a risk of divide for Europe. As Junker imagines them, they make the cost of borrowing much higher for CEEC.
Peter Sian ley Berry was wondering rightly what the cost would be to all of us if one or more CEEC defaults on repayments.
http://blogs.euobserver.com/berry/2...
I think that as federalists, we should be careful in our backing of Eurobonds, and only do so if they contribute to help CEECs and particularly new member states. One example would be to suscribe to eurobonds:
- either garanteeing all member states' budgets, regardless of whether they are in the Eurozone
- or guaranteed by the 16 euro member states, but used to raise capital at a european level and not a national one: that money would then be spent over the whole of the EU, and proportionally more in poorer member states.
I think a simple guarantee of 16 governments of one another's ability to repay is unjust, and it will foster disunity in Europe. Old member states need to take their responsibility in solidarity and ensure that an appropriate response too the crisis is mounted in CEE despite the local national governments' inability to raise stimulus and bailout plans...