Thanasis Bacolas is the Secretary General of the European People’s Party.
Our priorities in the European People’s Party (EPP) have always been people’s priorities.
Honest jobs, social and economic security, affordable housing, honest payments for access to quality education and health care – this is our political purpose and what we are aiming for as a party. And in this grand European project in which we are all participating, Christianity like Robert Schumann and Alcide de Gasperi chose democracy, solidarity and progress over nationalism, alienation and fear. A brainchild of democrats, EPP remains true to these values.
So definitely, we definitely cordon sanitation Around parties that violate the rule of law and disrespect European values and Euro-Atlantic orientation.
Our friends in other parties know this very well. Nevertheless, they have made a very conscious decision to question our democratic credentials by running a smear campaign and trying to associate the EPP with the Far Right. It’s clear that their accusations are superficial, but what’s truly amazing is that in doing so they not only took a page out of populist strategy, but embraced it entirely. A “crying wolf”, very irresponsible and dangerous for Europe.
The race for the 2024 European Parliament elections is clearly on track and we understand the dilemma our friends are facing. He can’t challenge the EPP on the policies that matter most to voters, he can’t appeal to the center, and they push our party to the ends of the political spectrum to create a political space to win. trying to push up. Their early acknowledgment of weakness is welcome, but this only reflects a lack of cohesion, platforms or policies to appeal to a broader constituency in the EU27 countries.
Currently, only EPP can appeal beyond ideological bases. This is because we believe in a social market economy that works for both people and businesses. We want a strong and competitive digital economy that provides jobs for Generation Z in Europe. We want to protect our precious environment and make the transition to one that leaves no one behind.
And as the People’s Party, we can deliver.
We will continue to build bridges of dialogue and understanding to strengthen cooperation, not only in the proverbial political channels of the European Parliament, but across the European landscape. We do not label or discriminate people. Rather, it seeks to unite them under a common future defined by the values and principles of the European Union and its Member States.
Of course, it’s easier to hide moral superiority or superiority. It’s easy to define who’s good and who’s bad, and expect people to come to terms with it out of fear and anger. Take on the role of judge, jury and executioner. Creating situations where people can ignore the choices they make.
But we will not follow them, at any cost.
But before it’s too late, I hope our political friends start seeing us, and each other, as guardians of our common future. Not as a politician who looks to the election, but as a politician who looks to the next generation.
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