Esquerra Republicana’s priorities at the European Parliament: the Catalan language, the right to housing, and better working conditions
On Monday, Esquerra Republicana candidate Diana Riba put forth the outstanding focal points for Catalonia and the Catalan Countries that Esquerra will defend in Europe. Ms Riba presented Esquerra Republicana’s manifesto for the European Parliament elections on 9 June.
See the 10 priority issues for Esquerra and the full election manifesto below:
1. European Clarity Act
We will work towards the establishment of a legal framework by which the European Union guarantees the conditions in which the right to self-determination of its peoples may be exercised, as well as the procedure that must allow for internal enlargement for the automatic incorporation of new states made up of citizens and territories that are already part of the EU.
2. Defence of the Catalan Language
We will fight for Catalan and Occitan to become official working languages of the European Union, and for Catalan to be the vehicular language for education in the Catalan-speaking territories.
3. A Fair Ecological Transition
We are committed to an ambitious climate agenda to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, phasing out the use of coal by 2030, fossil gas by 2035, and all non-renewable energy by 2040. We will demand greater resources to prevent climate change, as well as preparation for natural disasters and a European Fund for the Green Transition.
4. Defence of our Economic and Agricultural Model
We will work to regulate the conditions and quality of products imported to the EU, guaranteeing fair competition under equal regulations, defending our farmers, promoting sustainable development, reducing CO2 emissions and promoting local production and consumption.
5. Improved Working Conditions
We will work for the creation of new, quality jobs, for the establishment of a European Minimum Wage, and to reduce working hours. In addition, we are committed to the creation of a common fund for the establishment of a European Universal Basic Income.
6. Right to Housing
We are committed to developing a European strategy that will allow us to increase public housing stock, rehabilitate buildings, prevent speculation, counter evictions and create a fairly priced housing market. We will work to eradicate homelessness by 2030.
7. Feminism and LGBTIQ+ Rights
We defend the inclusion of consent in the Directive against gender-based violence and state that sexual and reproductive rights are fundamental rights in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. In addition, we will work to approve a European Directive on equal treatment that guarantees the rights of LGTBIQ+ persons in the EU.
8. Economic Justice
We are committed to ensuring that the wealthiest 1% contribute their fair share in taxes through a wealth tax and harmonized capital gains taxes in the EU. In addition, it is necessary to distribute deficit objectives fairly, limiting the capacity of the States to centrifuge the deficit margin and providing greater flexibility for regional and local administrations.
9. More Democracy
We will continue to denounce the restrictions on freedom of expression and association of the pro-independence movements in Europe, and also point to espionage and all judicial persecution. In addition, to deepen the democratization of the European institutions, we propose that the Presidency of the Commission be proposed and chosen by the European Parliament, where the sovereignty of the citizens resides.
10. Legal and Safe Pathways
We are committed to a search and rescue mission funded and led by the EU in the Mediterranean and to establish increasingly flexible legal channels through a new Migration Code. The EU must cease outsourcing management of migration to authoritarian governments.