09/04/2014
The Liberal Democrats for Europe Nancy invite you to have a look at our programme - it is crucial to know for what parties stand.
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SHAPING EUROPE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS - ALDE
Economy
Crisis resolution
The ALDE stresses the importance of the European Commission in a European financial framework. In order to overcome crisis, it is clear that states cannot debt-finance growth. Growth is not and shall not be dependent upon state spending. Instead of having national solutions to multinational banking failures, it is key to unify this sector and guarantee saving on a Union wide basis in order to regain trust in the financial markets. This cannot be done without a European Growth initiative, which bundles all of Europe’s action mechanisms and EU-funds and will thus contribute much larger to the Union’s growth than 28 different solutions.
More jobs
ALDE aims at getting people back to work through differentiated structural reforms. This includes
a) Increasing the labor mobility both in and outside the European Union
a. Coordinating national work agencies in order to improve cross-border job search
b. Simplifying entrance to the EU for highly qualified foreign experts through the facilitation of visa-application, granting of EU-wide work permits (Blue-Card)
b) Facilitation of entrance to markets especially for young entrepreneurs and start-ups
a. Improve access to credits and financial expertise through EU-wide Consulting
c) Reduction of bureaucratic barriers
a. Easier access to subsidiaries through a unified European agency
b. Creation of a single institution for enterprises dealing with European bureaucracy
c. Creation of a unified European Enterprise Framework (EEF), facilitating enterprises acting on a European level and also reducing the possibility of tax-evasion
Green economy
a. Create incentives for investment in green economy and R&D
b. Facilitate access to market for green start-up
c. Deregulate the Energy sector
d. Europe as a leading power in R&D
i. Funding of independent research facilities aimed at
1. Improve energy efficiency
2. Improve cooperation of member states in generating electricity
3. Develop new solutions to the Market’s demand of sustainable, affordable energy
ii. Further the development of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and related Fusion technology
e. Deregulate the market for Genetically modified organisms, after scientific research into long term affects has taken place, allowing sustainable, reliable and efficient supply of essential crops
Education
ALDE is aiming for a standardization of European higher and secondary education diplomas, assuring recognition in all member states and beyond. This will not only encourage work mobility but also integrate the European Union more closely. In the long run, this helps in forging a European Spirit and furthering European Integration.
Importance has to be put on the fact that 28 different notations need to be fully translatable, ensuring equal recognition of equal performance
It is key for citizens to have a choice between different systems; therefore, ALDE stands firmly against a one-school-model. Interchangeable diplomas do not mean interchangeable systems. The national competence on schooling is not to be regulated.
ERASMUS as an important program needs to be expanded, allowing smaller universities to participate without artificial obstacles only encouraging the build-up of education-monopolies.
Immigration
Turning Europe into a fortress is a dead-end.
ALDE advocates a truly European strategy, since immigration does not stop at national borders.
Tackling the issue at the core is key, therefore Europe’s immigration policy needs to start at the origin: Development aid in the countries of origin has to be expanded so as to reduce the flux of illegal immigrants aiming for Europe.
Shaping European immigration policy evolves around unifying, simplifying, clarifying the visa-application process, rules and procedures for asylum-seekers.
Improving and furthering access to the European education network for immigrants through programs starting in their countries of origin, allowing them a head start when arriving to Europe.
Foreign Policy
ALDE is aware of the fact that the democratic and liberal European values should take precedence over economic interests. The European Union should highlight this principal in any negotiation with strategic partners all over the world.
ALDE Group strongly supports democratic movements all over the world. The peaceful combat of authoritarian regimes needs to be supported by the European Union and its Member States as many of European citizens themselves have chafed under a lack of civil rights. The process democratization has to happen in accordance with the rule of law and in conformity with human rights.
ALDE therefore envisages to re-examine the export of technological devices produced or developed within the EU being used for repression. ALDE as a liberal group stresses the importance of civil liberties, which cannot exist in times of repression.
ALDE is convinced that both the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union have to stress the importance of freedom and fundamental rights within any negotiation with representatives of third countries.
To ensure a coherent European foreign policy, Member States and the European Union have to agree on the development of a common foreign policy based on European values such as human rights and democracy. The EU must take a more active role in UN missions.
The Union must act as mediator in international conflicts and multiply its humanitarian aid missions. Common foreign policy must be based on its traditional strengths of conflict prevention and crisis management; nonetheless, the European Union must have the means to ensure European interests and protection abroad.
ALDE urges the EU as an international player has to ensure a common defense.
ALDE calls for a more efficient structure of the European External Action Service
ALDE strongly rejects the approach of many Member States to an application for membership of the Republic of Turkey. The conditions of membership have to be equally applied to all applicants meeting the Copenhagen criteria.
ALDE states that the integration process of new Member States to the European Union has to be encouraged and maintained. The European idea of prosperity and freedom should not be blocked to any member of the European family.
ALDE stands for a foreign policy that combines both, international convergence and the spreading of European, democratic, and liberal values.
Equality
Gender equality
ALDE strongly supports the Istanbul convention for “preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence”; Ensuring all member states of the EU condemn any act of violence on women through legislative and punitive measures.
Article 13 of the convention calls for raising awareness for violence done to women.
In France, 200 000 women suffer from conjugal violence. Only 16% of them will have the courage to sue their husbands. In France, 83000 women are r***d each year.
Police reports 25 rapes for 100 000 inhabitants in Britain, 17 in France, 40 in Sweden and 25 in Netherlands. This is unacceptable.
ALDE calls for measures to be taken in order to facilitate penal action and notably the installation of a European agency against violence against women, which enables women affected to seek both counselling and legal help within a short period of time.
ALDE encourages member states to increase safety measures to protect women and state assistance for recovery.
European Liberal Mentoring Program
ALDE launched the ELMP which tries to encourage young women to pursue job opportunities or studies, especially in the political field. ALDE recalls that Gender equality is not reached through quotas or parity laws, but by promoting dialogues and education with and for women to encourage them to run for both national and European elections.
LGBT-rights
The ALDE Party has been fighting against the discrimination of the LGBT community and sponsoring gay rights. LGBT rights are an integral part of the ALDE’s agenda, and as such, ALDE is a strong advocate of Same-Sex marriage. In particular ALDE stresses
⇒ A Campaign for same-s*x marriage thanks to the party members of ALDE. Example of Britain where Liberal Democrats have delivered same s*x marriage in July 2013.
⇒ A Call for a strengthening of EU anti-discrimination laws on the basis of directive 2000/78/EC (equal treatment in employment)
⇒ That ALDE Repeatedly calls European institutions for more anti discrimination laws in the field of education and mutual recognition of same s*x couples.
o ALDE has launched the campaign: “ALDE 4 EQUALITY” (ALDE’s current campaign for the promotion of LGBT rights)
o ALDE supported the launch of gay pride parades in conservative cities such as Moscow, Warsaw and Riga to raise awareness of LGBT discrimination
• ALDE launched a conference on gay pride in the European Parliament
o ALDE requested an international day against homophobia
Minorities
ALDE insists on the freedom of movement inside the European frontiers.
ALDE has called for sanctions against EU member states which expelled Sinti and Romanies from refugee camps.
ALDE has been a strong supporter of the law granting workers from Bulgaria and Romania the freedom of movement (1st January 2014), awarded to all European Citizens.
ALDE calls for measures improving the social inclusion of foreigners in member states, and consequently encourages directives for a better access to education.
