News

The three large political families in the European Parliament lost ground. The centre-right stayed ahead but is weakened. Euro-sceptic and far-right parties gained significant ground in several countries shaking the political landscape.

European voters warned mainstream governing parties. The results are the direct expression of a widespread disenchantment with austerity, soaring unemployment and the continuing crisis.

Commenting on the European elections, UNI Europa Regional Secretary, Oliver Roethig said:

“The voters have issued a clear warning: austerity does not work! Europe needs to sort out the unemployment crisis and urgently needs large-scale investment to drive sustainable growth.”

“We deplore the progress of Euro-sceptic and nationalist forces in Europe and call upon decision-makers to take a firm stance against racism and xenophobia. Euro-sceptics must be tackled through targeted anti-crisis measures that bring back hope in the lives of Europeans.”

UNI Europa has issued a call for more job-friendly policies demanding a change away from austerity through a comprehensive growth-geared investment programme. The UNI Europa Services Manifesto sets out our vision of quality jobs for quality services. So far, 80 candidates to the European elections have pledged their support for a socially progressive EU through our Services Manifesto Pledge: http://www.uniglobalunion.org/regions/uni-europa/services-manifesto

Commenting on the European elections, UNI Europa Regional Secretary, Oliver Roethig said:

“The first citizen-test in this new parliamentary landscape will be the choice of the EU Commission President.”

“We expect of the EU Parliament that it acts in accordance to its novel institutional role: it must decide on the Commission’s presidency and not be side-lined by the European Council. Given the elections results and the cast votes, we expect a Commission President that is committed to Social Europe against austerity.”