Institut Européen de l’Université de Genève

Political Partners

Our magazine is apolitical. This does not mean a publication with no political stakes, but rather a publication that allows all of them. We are thus proud to benefit from the support of the four main European party-groups.

The following presentations are provided by the parties and do not represent the opinion of Eyes On Europe.

THE EUROPEAN PEOPLE’S PARTY AND EUROPEAN DEMOCRATS AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

“The EPP-ED Group has been the largest political group in the now 785-strong European Parliament since July 1999.

288 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) sit in the EPP-ED Group, representing some 37 per cent of the total. The Group unites Christian Democrat, Conservative and other mainstream centre and centre-right political forces from across the 27-member European Union.The EPP-ED Group is the only one of the seven political groups in the Parliament to contain MEPs from all 27 Member States (…).

The Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats in the European Parliament (EPP-ED Group) is a major political force in the European Union; it is the direct heir of the tradition established in the 1950s by Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and Alcide de Gasperi.

The EPP-ED Group has worked consistently and successfully to consolidate the European Union on the bases of the primacy of law and respect for fundamental rights, on the application of the principle of subsidiarity and an efficient sharing out of power, and on independent democratic institutions, in order to ensure that future progress serves the common interest of all Europeans.

As members of the EPP-ED Group, we believe in a Europe of values, united, open, more humane and embracing diversity(…)”

From “What is The EPP-ED Group?”

THE PARTI OF EUROPEAN SOCIALIST

“The Party of European Socialists (PES) brings together the Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour Parties of the European Union (EU). Its aims include:

• the strengthening of the socialist and social democratic movement in the Union and throughout Europe;
• the development of close working relationships between the national parties, the national parliamentary groups, the Parliamentary Group of the PES, PES Women, ECOSY, and other socialist and social democratic organisations;
• the definition of common policies for the European Union; and
• the adoption of a common manifesto for elections to the European Parliament.

There are 33 full member parties from the 27 EU member States and Norway. In addition, there are 6 associate and 7 observer parties. The PES was founded in 1992 following the Treaty on European Union and the recognition of the importance of political parties at a European level in Article 191 of the Treaty. It succeeded the Confederation of Socialist Parties of the European Community, which had been set up in 1974 (…)”

From “How does the PES Work?”

THE ALLIANCE OF LIBERALS AND DEMOCRATS FOR EUROPE AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

“The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament brings together MEPs from liberal and democratic parties across the European Union.We share the common values and promote an open-minded and forward-looking approach to European Union politics.

We stand for individual liberty, a free and dynamic business culture, economic and social solidarity, sustainability in taking actions, protection of the environment and respect and tolerance for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

Our vision for the EU is of a Europe which:

• Reaches out to all European countries which wish to join and respect the principles of democracy, stability, human rights and a functioning market economy;
• Promotes sustainable economic growth leading to more and better quality jobs, more consumer choice and greater opportunity for business;
• Provides freedom, security and justice for its citizens, standing up for human rights and combating discrimination in all its forms;
• Furthers justice, peace and stability and alleviates poverty in the world.

ALDE is the third political group in the European Parliament and rapidly growing.

The Group currently comprises MEPs from 22 Member States of the EU (as of June 15th 2008).”

From “About ALDE Leaflet”

THE GREENS/EUROPEAN FREE ALLIANCE AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

“The Greens are today an established force in European politics, having been represented in the EuropeanParliament since 1984.

More than ever the Greens are needed to ensure that we are building a Europe oriented towards citizens’ quality of life, which is at the same time economically sustainable, environmentally friendly, socially just, peaceful, tolerant and democratic.

In times of accelerating climate change, all parties rush to expose their green credentials, but it still needs the original Green forces to push forward the radical measures necessary to limit climate change and lay the foundations for sustainable development. While others pay fashionable lip service, Greens push for concrete and ambitious actions.

Since the last European elections in 2004, the European Parliament is dominated by a clear right-wing majority and the European Commission increasingly favours neo-liberal policies. The Greens together with their partner, the European Free Alliance, have fought hard under this political reality to get acceptable compromises on legislative dossiers such as the “chemicals directive” (REACH), the “services directive” (Bolkestein Directive) and the software patenting directive. The Greens will continue to fight on climate, energy and transport related issues, on food quality and safety as well as on social and human rights.

Today, in the year of the 50th anniversary of the European Parliament and just a few months after the signature of the Lisbon Treaty, the Greens are convinced that Europe is not at the end of the journey building a political Union but, rather, at a new beginning. The democratisation of the Union will make it possible for its citizens to tackle the challenges ahead.

It is for such a Europe that the 42 MEPs and the staff of the Greens/EFA group are relentlessly working both at the European Parliament and with citizens in Member States.”

Other partners

If you wish to support us throught a partnership, please contact our Public Relations Office.