Esquerra celebrates Europe Day by organizing a conversation with our foreign sections

A Europe showing solidarity with the states that have suffered most from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, understanding solidarity as co-responsibility, assuming duties, with decision-making capacity, a Europe where states do not become self-involved but show greater democratic radicalism and a greener and more social attitude: that is the Europe Esquerra believes should emerge from the coronavirus crisis, strengthening the project of European integration.

That was the conclusion of the conference titled "A Europe that protects: the EU after the pandemic", which was organized by Esquerra together with our foreign sections on Saturday, coinciding with the celebration of Europe Day.

“The European Union is reluctant to adopt profound and rapid change, but it is on the basis of overcoming crises that the EU has made real leaps forward, and this crisis must therefore make us emerge a stronger Europe,” said Esquerra’s Secretary for International Affairs, Jordi Solé.

When we talk about solidarity we are not talking about national selfishness or solidarity without taking responsibility, but of republican fraternity, assuming duties, contributing and co-deciding

Marta Rovira Secretary General of Esquerra Republicana

The recovery from COVID will undoubtedly involve establishing European mechanisms for the redistribution of wealth that do not repeat the mistakes of the 2008 financial crisis—austerity policies and cuts, lack of public and social investment—but that involve a larger budget—including greater own resources for the EU—and non-conditional transfers to member states.

But economic measures will not be enough: “During the pandemic, our rights and freedoms are also being confined, and we cannot risk not being able to restore them. We must take advantage of this crisis to shield democratic rights,” added Esquerra Republicana MEP Diana Riba.

In this sense, the Secretary General of Esquerra Republicana Marta Rovira explained that the EU must show solidarity, understanding solidarity from the republican point of view: “When we talk about solidarity we are not talking about national selfishness or solidarity without taking responsibility, but of republican fraternity, assuming duties, contributing and co-deciding,” she said.

Some 75 members from the foreign sections in Berlin, London and Brussels took part in the debate, as well as other party representatives linked to the European project, and Foreign Section Chairs Meritxell Serret (Brussels), Marie Kapretz (Berlin), and Sergi Marcen (London).