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Last week while travelling outside of Brussels for work I used my days to reflect on our movement. I was working for two days with our friends from the trade unions coming from several member states. We began our work by watching the “Brussels business” (to be watched) focusing on the strategy used by the business sector to set the EU’s priorities (Single Market Act, Trade policy, or trans-European networks). All these policies have been about EU competitiveness in a global economy, within a borderless and deregulated territory. We know that this neoliberal agenda has a huge impact on the sovereignty of member states, their social policies and their people. From theory to practice, my brain wanted me to connect to current realities: we were in Portugal, one of the countries hardest hit by the crisis. On Saturday, there was also the huge “march of dignity” in Madrid. On Sunday in France, the anger against the current socialist government was seen in the rise of the extreme right in local elections.  

What did we hear from the street in Madrid?  Demonstrators were protesting against unemployment, poverty, and housing evictions: 49,984 forced evictions were carried out last year, which averages about 185 a day. They want the government to not pay its international debts and do more to improve health and education. At the core, they want respect for their lives and the right to live in dignity.

In France, the extreme right won a worker’s town, which has been in the hands of the socialist party for the last 80 years. In Hénin-Beaumont, voters blamed the “politicians” for not having respect for the people. They blamed it on a lack of respect of their daily lives. I want to be very clear here: I am not and will never condone the extreme right: its values, past and present narrative and actions are clearly against the democratic values I want to live by. The Front national is the wrong answer to our problem and here is why.

The question for me is the following: is there a progressive way to reconcile our needs for dignified life and Europe?  My answer is yes but the road is not easy. For one we need to secure social and human rights for each one of us and throughout the EU. It is a question of solidarity: we have to go beyond our national borders and share our values and rights with other people. Respect for our social rights is a precondition. Second, we can no longer leave the economy in the sole hands of CEOs and businesses. After tomorrow, we will gather with our members and we will discuss the necessary items for a social floor in Europe to protect all of its people. We will also discuss how to rebalance economic policy with social priorities. We shall not leave the definition of growth, competitiveness, and jobs to others: because we have a lot to say about inclusive growth, regulated competition and quality employment.

Let’s engage

Pierre Baussand

Director