The recent European elections provided an opportunity for everyone to claim victory. Yet, looking at the numbers is always a sobering exercise. It is clear that the EPP is the biggest group in the European parliament, but their number of seats has decreased considerably. Equally true is there is no reliable majority in the parliament without the support of the Socialists and Democrats group. We, together with the other main groups in the European parliament support the right of Jean-Claude Juncker to try and reach a majority to be elected in the European parliament following him being put forward by the European council. This is clear and straightforward. During the election campaign we promised voters that this European election is different, because they decide who would become the next commission president. We will stick to this promise and our commitment to put an end to backroom deals and make Europe more transparent and democratic.
On the right of the political spectrum, we see a splintering of interests and parties that cannot be relied upon: some 50 shades of Euroscepticism and populism which have entered the European parliament trumpeting their firm commitment to overhaul and ultimately undo Europe. We know where these will end up: they will either squabble about their national differences or choose to sit idle behind their convenient rejection of everything that sounds 'European'.
"People are increasingly losing faith in the ability and the willingness of democratic institutions to take action"
Pro-European parties have an added responsibility to deliver outcomes that will improve people's daily lives. As leader of the Socialists and Democrats, I will work for greater social justice in everything that we do, and together we can achieve a Europe of and for the people. We must improve social justice and workers' rights, the democratic accountability of the EU and combat youth unemployment. People are increasingly losing faith in the ability and the willingness of democratic institutions to take action.
Ordinary people have borne the costs of the crisis, while much still needs to be done to re-regulate the financial sector. Ordinary people are still supporting the banks and providing guarantees to nations in difficulty. In many EU countries people have been forced to accept drastic pay and pension cuts, workers' rights have been attacked and unemployment has reached unbearable levels. Inequalities and precarious work have increased.
We want to stop decisions affecting everyone being taken behind closed doors with no transparency or democratic accountability. Decisions must be taken in the interest of all and must adhere to a rights-based approach. The troika should be dramatically restructured, with a central role to be played by democratically elected institutions. This has been requested from the start by the European parliament. Social dialogue is indispensable to secure fairness. A growth-boosting package would give hope to people who are losing their jobs and are being thrown into poverty.
Looking back over the election campaign, I am proud of the way it went. The Social Democrats all over Europe outlined three important priorities which must be taken up by the new parliament and commission.
First we must tackle youth unemployment. This is a top priority. The European institutions have adopted and must properly implement the youth guarantee which ensures that all young people under 25 get a good quality, concrete offer within four months of them leaving formal education or becoming unemployed. But that alone will not be enough: the EU needs to be an instrument to support the confidence of small and medium enterprises which are the engine of employment in Europe, by fighting the credit crunch with fresh and real funds, by re-launching manufacturing in Europe and by investing in research and development so as to equip the new generations with the competences they need to work at the forefront of innovation.
"Europe will be stronger in the next five years if it can support the right policies for sustainable strong recovery with more and better jobs and with popular democratic support"
Second, we must truly tackle tax evasion. Tax evasion and tax fraud costs the European Union €1.5 trillion every year. We need to aim for fair taxation. It is not acceptable that profits magically disappear to countries with low taxes, leaving mere tax crumbs for the countries where the added value is produced. By the end of the next European parliament's five-year term, together with the member states, we need to ensure that a simple principle applies: if profits are made within the EU, taxes should be paid within the EU.
Third, free trade has the potential to strengthen economic growth in Europe by opening up new markets for European products. The transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) with the US is an opportunity to create European jobs and increase innovation and growth in Europe. Social democrats support it in principle. However, we need a clear political framework for TTIP. I want to be clear: the trade agreement will not come about if it lowers our environmental, consumer protection, social protection and data protection standards.
Europe will be stronger in the next five years if it can support the right policies for sustainable strong recovery with more and better jobs and with popular democratic support.