FOR THE MANY!
Those who want another Europe have a voice in the European Parliament. The Left stands up for workers, the environment, feminism, peace & human rights. What unites us is the vision of a European Union that defends people and the planet, a Europe of equality, sustainability and solidarity. The major policies of the EU and its member states have yet to reflect this vision. Instead, a radically market-oriented logic of competition both within the EU and towards the rest of the world has meant that this current project is one of the elites, not the people. We’re committed to reversing that, bursting the Brussels bubble, and bringing the voice of the streets to the European Parliament
Economic Justice
The movement for worker’s rights has always been at the heart of our values. Today, Eu austerity, privatisation and deregulatory policies in favour of big businesses are devastating for workers. Our challenge to prevailing economic doctrine and growing inequality involves coordination across several policy areas, from demanding better employment and social rights to highlighting the devastating impact of tax dodging. The economy must serve the people, and we must ensure the fair distribution of wealth throughout societies, countries and regions.
Environment
Time is running out for strong measures to save the planet and deal with the massive challenge of climate change. The fight for sustainable and just environmental, agriculture and fisheries policies means protecting nature, standing up for small rural and coastal communities and pushing for strict controls on toxic chemicals. As part of this broader battle, we are parliament’s most steadfast champions of animal rights and welfare.
Feminism
Working towards equality and tackling deep-seated sexism in Europe means ensuring all EU policymaking is rooted in a gender perspective. Crucial to this are issues such as the defence of women and minorities from attacks by the far right, the fight for equal pay, securing fundamental freedoms for LGBTQI+ people, and pressing the need for a real strategy to end violence against women and girls.
Rights & Liberties
Dignity, equality, and solidarity are the core principles we represent regarding questions of civil liberties and human rights in Europe and beyond. The EU cannot ignore the plight of those seeking a better life by building a fortress, nor ignore the rise of dangerous racist and xenophobic rhetoric. It must build a humane migration system. Alongside this work, we defend the need for citizens to access information by protecting whistleblowers and ensuring big technology companies cannot abuse our data.
Peace & Solidarity
Whether it is working for fair policies towards developing countries or maintaining pressure on the EU over human rights abuses against Palestinians or other oppressed groups, we are relentlessly pursuing a Europe that forges positive relations with the rest of the world. We have been instrumental in highlighting the dangers of the current trade policy, an affront to democracy that only serves the interests of multinational corporations. Foreign and security strategies must be based on peace, as opposed to the current militarisation trend.
Democracy & Ethics
The backbone of our job is to hold the EU institutions and governments to account and make sure neoliberals and the far-right will always be confronted by those working in the public interest. From demanding transparency to scrutinising budget proposals to defending ethics and transparency, our MEPs are a voice for accountability and integrity. In the continuing debate about the future direction of the European Union, we put forward alternative visions and challenge dominant destructive dogmas.