Barley: Prevent a shift to the right in Europe
The Vice-President of the European Parliament, Katarina Barley, has called on the Rhineland-Palatinate SPD party conference to prevent a further shift to the right in Europe. "What we are experiencing in Germany, the drift to the right, especially of the conservatives, which is threatening here, has long been part of everyday life in Europe - in the member states and also in the European Parliament," said Barley. Against this backdrop, she emphasized the importance of the European elections in June 2024. The SPD lead candidate for the European elections, nominated by the Federal Executive Committee, called on delegates to take the elections just as seriously as local, state or federal elections.
With Sweden, Finland and Italy, there are three governments "where the conservatives are supported or tolerated by right-wing populists - some of them hardcore fascists". Every government that tilts to the right or far right is also a vote in the Council and a Commissioner, Barley warned. The EU Parliament is therefore particularly important.
The delegates surprisingly elected MEP Karsten Lucke as the top SPD candidate in Rhineland-Palatinate for the federal list for the European elections. He received 92 votes in a run-off vote. Daniel Stich, who was unanimously nominated by the state executive, only received 82 votes in favor. The Ministerial Director in the Ministry of Health had previously been re-elected Treasurer of the state party with 75% of the votes. A decision on the federal list will be made at the end of January.
"The right-wing populists would prefer no more Europe at all," warned Barley. "And the conservatives and liberals want a Europe that is actually only limited to the economy."
"It is incredibly important that we reach an agreement on migration in this legislative period," emphasized Barley. "We must manage to bring more order to the whole issue." In no other policy area is it tolerated that neither states nor individuals abide by the rules. A distinction must be made between labor migration and flight and asylum. "It is important that we send out the signal that we are regaining control over this policy area."
In light of the conservative drift in Europe, including governments in Sweden, Finland, and Italy supported by right-wing populists, Barley stresses the importance of the EU elections in June 2024, as every right-leaning government in the EU Parliament can influence decisions in the Council and the Commission. Recognizing the threat from right-wing populists who prefer no Europe at all and conservative and liberal ideals limiting Europe to the economy, Barley underscores the necessity of reaching an agreement on migration to bring order to this policy area.
Source: www.dpa.com
