Socialists criticise EU's 'economy first' Lisbon approach

On the eve of new Brussels proposals to revive the EU’s flagging Lisbon agenda, Europe’s socialists have called for a “more sophisticated understanding of competitiveness.”

In a report aimed specifically at derailing European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso’s plans to focus the Lisbon strategy largely on economic growth, the European Parliament’s socialist group warned that a crude “economy first” approach risks damaging Europe’s social model and alienating and disenfranchising citizens.

In contrast to the Brussels review, being presented to the European Parliament on Wednesday, the socialists' report emphasises the importance of the reciprocal relationship between the economy, society and the environment.

“We all agree that economic performance must be improved.  But the socialist group insists that social and environmental progress are part of the solution, not part of the problem,” said group vice president Jan Marinus Wiersma.

The report argues that many of those charged with implementing the Lisbon strategy at both national and European level have not fully grasped a proper understanding of the Lisbon competitive model or of modern competitive conditions.

“Our paper presents our views on the balanced development of the EU.  We believe that our proposals show a new way forward to real prosperity.”

The socialist group want Europe’s leaders to take on board their ideas at the annual EU spring competitiveness summit in March.

The report sets out 33 proposals that the socialists want leaders to evaluate at the summit, in a bid to re-affirm and relaunch the Lisbon strategy to “turn political commitment into practical results.”

And they warned on Tuesday that Barroso has only one more chance to reverse his economic plans or else face strong socialist opposition.

“We want modernisation and change - but in the right way, including environmental and social policies. Anything else would be counterproductive and frankly myopic,”
said Party of European Socialists president, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

“Europe’s socialists will not stand for a blinkered economic vision that leaves the people and their environment out.”

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