International

The heads of Europe's governments last week reached an agreement over most of the principal goals of socio-economic policy for the coming ten years. Our own country having seen its government fall a few weeks ago, former and now acting prime minister Jan-Peter Balkenende was in Brussels to continue his rule beyond the political grave. Future governments should be prepared, in the meantime, to have their policies examined by Brussels and, if they don't fulfil the agreements which Balkenende has made, to receive a 'recommendation' (on the seat of their pants) and possible even actual sanctions. It is scarcely to be believed that such important decisions can be taken without any kind of broad public debate beforehand, in Parliament, in the street and in the media.

As the SP European Parliament group we try to take constructive positions now that the Lisbon Treaty is up and running. That's the way it is, and we have to make the best of things. The heads of Europe's governments, however, don't waste any time. They're already trying once again to stretch the new treaty as far as it will go and are working at full tilt to put together a European economic government. All of this is going on without ordinary members of the public hearing a thing about it, though they will soon after the event be surprised to hear the announcement that whoever takes over in government from Balkenende will only be allowed to pursue policies which concur with the goals agreed this week.

The European Council, the body which brings together these heads of government, established just a few such goals. In 2020 75% of people between the ages of twenty and sixty-four must be in work, but nothing is said about what sort of work or whether you must be able to survive on what it pays. There are further objectives to do with education and research and a repeat of what's already been said about CO2 emissions, the same objective as the EU gave up without a fight in Copenhagen. Only in the case of the goal of combating poverty did the leaders fail to agree at the summit of 25th and 26th March, and in June they will have to discuss it again. But yes, according to our minister Piet Hein Donner, if you put your effort into growth and employment, the fight against poverty will take care of itself. If that's true, how is it possible that poverty in Europe increased, even in a time of economic growth?

In June the leaders will not only continue to take decisions over sub-objectives, but their governments will also have to deliver national plans aimed at achieving these goals. And the European Council, for the first time under the chairmanship of Herman Van Rompuy, will then check whether everything is in order. If that turns out not to be the case, then the member states will be in for a scolding. In addition, the idea is going around that the punishment will be that they will get no more EU money.

In short: an outgoing prime minister is taking our social and economic policies out of our hands and will in effect be governing far beyond the political grave, until 2020. And through all of this the Netherlands has remained silent and uncomplaining. As SP activists we must work to ensure that well before June's European Council there is a debate over these extremely important matters, both in Parliament and also, in my view, out on the streets.