“We are united – the threat is nationalism”
“L – and S-profiles: EU must continue the fight for democracy”
“This is an opinion piece. It is the writer who stands for the views that are put forward in the text, not Against.”
“the DEBATE. We find ourselves in a time when nationalism, faktaförnekelse, xenophobia, and protectionism is gaining ground. We see this global movement – cheered on by Putin and Trump and also by the government and the political parties within the EU as a threat to the legal order as a couple of generations of europeans have built up. The elections to the european Parliament in may will be a battle between those who want to develop an open, libertarian and solidary Europe and those who want to divide, divide and threaten.”
“We who have signed this article represent different experiences and different political views, but we are united in the view that the EU must play a leading role in the fight for democracy, common security, open economies, and social and environmental sustainability.our starting point is that the EU has strength in its unique social organization, which combines national sovereignty with shared sovereignty, in order to meet cross-border threats and challenges. “
“the Purpose of this article is not to present a political programme, but to identify some of these challenges to which the political parties must take a position ahead of the EU elections on may 26.”
“► Threats to democracy. Democratic order and human rights is a condition for membership in the EU. That order is threatened today by the global digital big platforms, which are indiscriminately used by the major powers and extremists to influence public opinions and to spread false information. It is also threatened by the individual member states, who politicise the legal system and the media. Countries must work together to meet them. The EU must stand strong on the citizens ‘ side when the human freedoms under threat in individual member states or by digital corporations, and also to deepen the internal democracy. “
“► security Threats. The EU’s origins and development is the most important contribution to security in Europe. The longest peace in European history is the EU’s main success. In the day threatened the security of the retreats that is made from the concluded international agreements, the escalation of conflicts between the great powers and the ongoing renovation. The intentional underblåsandet of discord and conflict within the EUROPEAN countries and with our neighbours have reached dangerous levels. It is and remains a historical task for the EU to promote an alternative approach to the narrow nationalism and to devise a strategy for the common security.”
“► Threats to the planet. Global warming is perhaps the greatest threat to humanity. It requires immediate and long-term action on a large scale – globally, within the EU and in each member state. Greenhouse gas emissions need to decrease drastically over the coming decades. The EU has been a driving force in international climate work, but the most demanding remains. The common framework must now be developed further to provide a powerful support to the phasing out of the fossil economy and the transition to sustainable energy and transport systems. The EU must use all its instruments, rules, budget and research, to continue to lead this work.”
“► Threats to free trade and the economic integration. The functioning of the internal market, which constitutes a quarter of the world economy, is the basis for cooperation between EU countries. In addition, the EU association and free trade agreements with some 70 countries. This provides significant advantages with lower costs and faster impact of innovation. The EU is today the only global player that defends the multinational regulatory framework and the institutions that laid the foundation for the peace and prosperity that we have experienced since the second world war and, not least, Sweden has taken advantage of.”
“► Threats to financial stability and economic progress. Europe has recovered after the financial and valutakriserna, but there is still uncertainty about developments in the coming years. Cooperation on the euro and the requirements on stability in the member states ‘ public finances remains crucial. The risk of setbacks must be taken very seriously. The EU therefore needs to strengthen its ability to prevent and manage financial shocks and to play a proactive role for economic progress.”
“► from the Threats of corruption, international crime and terrorism. No single country can tackle international crime and terrorism. But the EU would allow the countries ‘ police, prosecutors and the judiciary be infinitely weaker. The EU, with strong institutions and partnerships, and with regard to the rule of law, move forward their positions to meet a new era of organized crime.”
“► Threats to international accountability. People in our world exposed to war, violence and oppression. Many of those who can take themselves out of the war zone seeking refuge in Europe. The EU countries need to strategically and jointly address flyktorsaker and face the problems. It is about the efforts of the konflikthärdarnas neighbouring areas where most of the refugees are, but also where to take the refugees in our countries in accordance with international agreements and human rights. It assumes that european cooperation is developed and that all member states are making efforts according to their abilities.”
“► Threats to security and social cohesion. The popular discontent in Europe and the united states has its basis in the increasing inequality that has been reinforced by the financial crisis and its aftermath. The IMF, the world Bank and the OECD have recommended that member states address these gaps. They not only represent a social problem, but also economically. They hinder economic progress. The EU has taken its responsibilities by creating a common pillar of social rights, which supports the member states and the social partners in their work. One of the big issues of the future will be to create rules for the emerging digital employment market, the gig economy. The EU must promote and defend the progress that Europe has achieved in terms of gender equality and the work that member states live up to the prohibition of discrimination of minorities.”
“To meet all these threats requires a team of dedicated politicians, the great initiative and also, of course, financial resources. The financial resources that member states contribute to guarantee access to the single market and the features that must be present, when it comes to safety, security and the environment. “
“the Bulk of the membership fees come back through the program for regional development, agriculture, research and innovation. The european Parliament elected in may has co-determination over how funding is to be used 2021-27.”
“member States through the EU transformed a continent that for long was characterized by nationalism and military conflict to the world’s most stable and peaceful. The EU is as an international organization unique in that the citizens have the right to vote and therefore can affect how the major challenges ahead are to be met. “
“Elections to the european Parliament is a crossroad to the future, also for Sweden. Therefore, it is important that voters require information of the parties and candidates how they are in the european Parliament want to meet the threat, we here have signed.”
“nMats Karlsson, visiting professor, Columbia UniversitynAllan Larsson, f (d) finance minister (S)nMaria Leissner, f (d) leader (L), f (d) secretary-general of the Communiy of DemocraciesnBirgitta Ohlsson, f (d) minister for EU affairs (L)nLisa Pelling, chief investigator Arena IdénBengt Westerberg, f (d) leader (L)”
“n Join in the debate and comment on the artikelnn – like Aftonbladet Debate on Facebook.”
