Nieuws van de afdeling

20 October 2005

European social model increasingly a myth

The SP's Euro-MPs are in London this week for a conference of the United Left Group (GUE/NGL), of which the party's delegation forms the Dutch section. The theme of the conference – or 'study days' as the twice-yearly event is known – was the future of the 'European social model', and researchers, journalists and trade unionists were there to give their views on the subject, which will also be the topic of an informal summit – hosted by Tony Blair in London this weekend – of the European Council, the body which brings together heads of EU member state governments. The different experts gathered at the GUE/NGL conference told a range of stories, but the tone of each of was clear: the whole idea of a European social model is in increasing danger of becoming a myth.

20 October 2005

Liotard tells Barroso: ‘You're still going too far and too fast!’

SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard this afternoon took part in a debate with European Commission President José Barroso. The chance to speak directly to Mr Barroso was provided by the fact that he must periodically meet with the presidents of the Europan Parliament's seven political groups. As a vice-president of the United Left Group (GUE/NGL), Ms Liotard stood in for group president Francis Wurtz, who was unavailable. She took the opportunity to issue Mr Barroso with a personal invitation to visit the Netherlands in order to discuss the reasons why the Dutch people had rejected the proposed constitution, then explained her own and the SP's views on the question.

17 October 2005

A matter of faith

The nuclear industry is lobbying hard on the back of fears over climate change and the current energy crisis. All the more reason to keep a watchful eye, writes Kartika Liotard MEP.

14 October 2005

SP Euro-MP Erik Meijer meets WTO representatives

On Tuesday 18 October Erik Meijer, Member of the European Parliament for the SP will be in Geneva to meet top representatives of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Mr Meijer will give his views on, amongst other things, the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the single-minded neoliberalism of the WTO's policies.

12 October 2005

After the EU constitution, the debate on Europe dies the death

The cabinet has today in a letter to the lower house of Parliament declared that the national discussion on Europe is now definitely over and done with. SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel expressed his regret that the leading supporters of the EU Constitution have killed off the debate.

12 October 2005

‘Cruise missiles to counter terrorism and rogue states is political madness’

The SP has described the plan put forward by defence minister Henk Kamp to furnish the country with cruise missiles as 'laughable'. RTL News revealed that the minister was preparing a decision to the effect that Dutch frigates should be supplied with the weapons. The government's ministerial council will decide on Friday whether to back the plan. “Kamp obviously wants to be the American war machine's perfect employee,” concludes SP Member of Parliament Krista van Velzen.

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