Socialist blueprint looks forward to 21st century commitments

Date: 28/01/1999

The Socialists' draft manifesto contains “21 commitments for the EU of the 21st century”.

The number one priority is to create more jobs in Europe by reforming tax systems, modernising the welfare state and investing in life-long learning.

Closer economic coordination between member states is essential to ensuring long-term growth, according to the manifesto. It also heaps praise on the new single currency, declaring that “it is in the interests of all states, whether members of the euro or not, that the euro is a success”.

The Socialist parties promise to push for a European charter of citizen's rights to lay down basic social and economic rights and to “develop a stronger European identity”. At the same time, the blueprint commits them to a decentralised Union based on “preserving the distinct cultures of Europe”.

On institutional issues, the Socialists favour a “more open, efficient and democratic” EU managed by a “better organised, more collegiate and more accountable” European Commission. Like the EU's executive arm, they support reforming the regional funds and the CAP.