EU "under threat of populists and neoliberals": PES resolution

The European Union (EU) is "under threat of populists and neoliberals," says a resolution unveiled Saturday upon the conclusion of the three-day meeting of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Council here.

"Years of misguided austerity, of increasing inequality, of insecurity have provided fertile ground for despair, and this is the result of years of neoliberal and conservative policies across Europe," declares the PES resolution entitled "Saving Europe: for Youth and Progress".

"Citizens are expressing their worries and they are seeking more stability and protection. Populists are taking advantage of this situation to spread their lies, hatred and division," the resolution says.

It says EU is under threat because people do not have fulfilling and secure jobs and because they do not believe that their children will have a better life than they have.

According to the resolution, neither basic economic freedoms nor competition rules take precedence over fundamental social rights.

In the event of conflict, fundamental social rights must have priority, says the resolution, calling for the establishment of a European social protection floor that guarantees universal access to quality health services, including sexual and reproductive health rights and basic income security, with minimum wages guaranteeing a basic decent income for all citizens.

The resolution also says it is an absolute priority for the EU to work towards preventing radicalisation in societies.

Moreover, the PES resolution calls for 20 billion euros (about 21.6 billion U.S. dollars) to be made available for the Youth Guarantee until 2020.

It says that PES sees young people as a fundamental asset for European societies, for European democracies, and for the economic recovery of Europe. Endit