European election campaign

11 May 2009

TNI

Over the past three decades, the “freedom” of financial actors has been extended at the expense of the huge majority of people. This is also the case for the EU. By exclusively seeking to satisfy the corporate interests, the EU trade policy undermines the living conditions of people both in Europe and in the Global South. Join the European election campaign and ask the EU parliament to act for change.

EU policy is shaped not only by politicians but often strongly influenced by external experts, who are also often representatives of certain interests.

EU policy is shaped not only by politicians but often strongly influenced by external experts, who are also often representatives of certain interests. The vast majority are business lobbyists or lawyers and other experts on the payroll of big corporations. Privileged access to EU institutions, free trade rules in favour of business interests and unlimited possibilities for financial speculation make the success of social and environmental policies impossible.

We need strong Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), ready to fight for the ambitious social and environmental policy targets we know we need. In order to put corporate interests in their place, lobbying transparency and high ethical standards for EU policy makers are essential.

Recent publications from Alternative Regionalisms

Crisis and alternatives In the long term we have to transcend capitalism as it cannot ensure a decent livelihood for all nor is it compatible with preserving necessary ecological balances. In the short-term we must start out with basic social democratic demands.	Occupy the left or ignore it? Why the traditional Left needs to understand, be willing to be challenged, and fully embrace the Occupy and Indignado movements.
Financial Governance Beyond the Crisis Dr. Pedro Paez talks about the creation of a new financial architecture in Latin America, based on principles of redistribution, environmental sustainability and social cohesion rather than market principles that dominated the old architecture.	The impact of free trade on the financial crisis … and vice versa Behind the currency wars and the worsening global economic crisis lies a largely unquestioned free trade model that both contributed to the crisis and, without radical reform, is a major obstacle to overcoming it.