Nieuws van de afdeling

4 March 2010

SP and European Postal Workers: Stop the liberalisation of the postal market

In the whole of Europe, postal workers are sick to the back teeth of the liberalisation of the postal market. That’s why, from 12th to 15th April, there will be a European Action Week to demand a moratorium on the process. Today, the SP organised a meeting with postal workers from throughout Europe where they were assured of the full backing of the party. SP European Parliamentary group leader Dennis de Jong explains : ‘The postal workers are completely correct to take this action : they are having to do ever more work under ever deteriorating conditions of employment. In addition post offices are being closed down everywhere and delivery frequencies are decreasing. It’s not clear, either, what the consequences of all this will be for those living in thinly populated areas. Brussels has in the past sold privatisation with the assertion that it would bring lower prices and improved service, but this turns out not to be the case. Liberalisation should therefore now simply stop.’’

1 March 2010

Why every party wants to conduct a campaign like Obama's... and why, in the Netherlands, only the SP can

On 16th January 2007 Barack Obama, a relatively inexperienced member of the United States Senate, announced via a video on YouTube that he was considering launching a campaign for the Presidency. Obama and his newly-formed team did not for a moment at that time believe that they had a realistic chance of winning. Nevertheless, just two years later he was inaugurated as President of the US. The reason? A unique candidate, with a unique campaign, in a unique political era.

27 February 2010

Casual dismissal of Chavez' complaints is foolish

The Netherlands wants quietly to renew its long-term permission to the United States to launch surveillance flights from the Dutch Antilles and the neighbouring Dutch possession of Aruba. The flights take place in the framework of the fight against drugs – and the struggle against guerrilla forces. Given the mounting tension in the region, this carries enormous risks. If it were up to SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel, no such prolongation of authorisation would be agreed.

24 February 2010

SP: Christian Democrats and Labour show indifference to small firms' interests as they delay vote in European Parliament

The social democrats and Christian democrats, the centre-left and centre-right blocs which constitute the European Parliament's two biggest groups, today voted to delay until March a vote on a proposal from the European Commission on whether to abolish the requirement that small businesses lodge their annual reports with the Chamber of Commerce. Dennis de Jong, SP European Parliamentary group chair, was critical. "These parties have no sense of urgency. Small businesses have, as a result of the economic crisis, already enough difficulty arranging loans for desperately needed investments. If the annual report isn't accessible more rapidly for, for example, credit insurers, it will become even more difficult for firms to access the necessary credit. This proposal should be rejected as quickly as possible."

23 February 2010

Unanimous support for report on fish farming

The European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Security voted unanimously on Tuesday to support the report by SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard on sustainable farming of fish for consumption.

20 February 2010

Dutch government falls: SP leader Agnes Kant gives party's initial reaction

“Elections must be held as soon as possible. The electorate will then have the chance to determine where the blame for this crisis should be laid. The choice is between the humane and the social on the one hand and the neoliberal and antisocial on the other.”

International