PES top candidate warns of impending shift to the right and dismantling of democracy – “Social democracy fights for good jobs, fair wages, respect in the workplace”
Vienna (OTS/SK) – The SPÖ’s EU election launch will take place today, Saturday, at the Vienna Trade Fair Center as part of the SPÖ Vienna state party conference in front of around 1,000 delegates and guests. The Europe-wide leading candidate of the Social Democrats (PES) Nicolas Schmit emphasized in his speech that a social, democratic and fair Europe is possible. “I recharged my batteries for the election campaign in Vienna. This energy is transferred to the entire European social democracy,” said Schmit. “Social democracy is fighting across Europe for good jobs, fair wages and respect in the workplace. We stand for this politics of everyday life,” said Schmit, who urgently warned of the impending shift to the right and sharply criticized the FPÖ: “It is madness to return to nationalism and spread racism. We will fight this madness – in Austria and everywhere in Europe!” European social democracy will protect democracy and show that it stands for progress: “We stand for a Europe of hope and justice that is at the service of the people.” said Schmit, who emphasized: “The European elections on June 9th are elections in which we fight for our European project. We will win the elections!” ****
It is no coincidence that the most livable city in the world has been ruled by social democrats for almost 80 years. In Vienna there are free kindergartens, free all-day schools and affordable housing. “Vienna is the city that lives and represents Europe. Vienna is an example of good urban politics, people think and act towards the future,” said Schmit, who emphasized that this must also apply to European politics – “a politics for the many and not the few”.
In recent years, the social democratic family has managed to “put social issues back on the agenda” in Europe, emphasized Schmit, who, as EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, is fighting for a social and fair Europe. Social democracy has achieved a lot in Europe in the last five years with the minimum wage directive, an economic stimulus package worth around 650 billion euros, the wage transparency directive, the directive on the protection of platform employees and the European Child Guarantee.
A good result in the European elections in June should enable European social democrats to build on this and go further. The priorities for social democracy in the next few years are strong social rights, investments in training and industry, the expansion of renewable energies and a fair tax system that holds large corporations and the super-rich accountable: “The European elections are fundamentally important. We need a common internal market with a social dimension. We must invest in the economy, training and technologies and strengthen Europe – not through competition, but through solidarity. And we have to protect the climate. Because climate neutrality is not a burden or a threat, but a new opportunity for high-quality jobs,” says Schmit. (cont.) ls/mb
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