THE LAST DAY TO VOTE IS JUNE 9.
Democracy at Play
The 2024 EU elections offer an opportunity to influence Europe's future. The red-green parties, such as the Social Democrats, the Left Party and the Green Party, stand for democracy, human rights, more equality and a more humane asylum policy. The left party also wants to change EU rules so that apartment rents in Sweden can fall. Voting for the red-green parties means that you support measures that benefit the climate, promote social justice and strengthen human rights.
Climate and Asylum
The left party wants to invest heavily in climate measures and work to remove EU rules that raise Swedish apartment rents. They also want to allow more state support for European countries' national innovation and production. This is important for The EU's global competitiveness according to economist Mariana Mazzucato. To vote for the red-greens is to support a sustainable future and a stronger economy.
The extreme right, led by the Sweden Democrats, is investing heavily in pulling the EU in the opposite direction. A far-right victory would be disastrous for equality, the climate and refugees. The EU's new migration and asylum pact risks worsening the situation at Europe's borders and leading to more violations of human rights. The Left Party and other red-green parties want to see a more humane asylum policy where people on the run are welcomed with dignity and respect. Much research also shows how a large immigration benefits the EU's economy, jobs and production.
Economic Stability
Refugees are part of the questions about democracy in the EU elections. Refugees contribute positively to the economy, as author Peo Hansen shows in "The migration myth". Europe needs migrants for its production and growth. By voting for the red-green parties, you support policies that recognize this and promote economic stability through inclusive measures.
The fight for democracy in the EU elections
The fight for democracy in the EU electionsDrop the loser attitude
The left's view of democracy as an invincible power has strengthened the Union's influence. But it is time to say no and fight for a red Europe.
Lack of knowledge
Few know the EU's structure, despite the fact that the Union affects many Swedish laws. The book "Disciplined democracy" by Jonas Elvander was discussed, where he points out that Swedes are positive about the EU but often ignorant of its activities.
Historical Background
After World War II, the EU was shaped by European federalists and neoliberals, both afraid of mass democracy. With the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, austerity fiscal policy became law, and Sweden has since then been a strong proponent of neoliberalism within the EU.
Current situation
Today, it is not the EU that drives neoliberalism in Sweden, but the opposite. Sweden stands in the way of a solidarity fiscal policy in Europe. During the pandemic, the strict investment rules were paused, and arguments for large investments for the climate should come from the left.
The Passivity of the Left
By seeing the EU's rules as invincible, the left has strengthened the Union's power. To create a progressive Europe, one must dare to break the budget rules and fight for change.
United Right, Divided Left
The extreme right has succeeded in building a strong international movement ahead of the European elections. The left, on the other hand, has been divided and focused on national issues. The Left Party's voters are positive about the EU, but the party has not fully committed itself to a European left.
Final words
In order for the red-greens to be able to transform the EU into an instrument for progressive politics, they must dare to take up the fight and cooperate internationally. It is high time to drop the loser mentality and work for a red Europe.
Summary
Your vote in the 2024 EU elections is more important than ever. By voting for the red-green parties, you contribute to a more equal, sustainable and fair future for Europe. The far right threatens these values, but your vote can make a difference.
For more information on why the EU election is crucial, visit International Rescue Committee.
THE LAST DAY TO VOTE IS JUNE 9.
At the same time, you have to be self-critical. We have e.g. the strange phenomenon that in Germany the so-called left is the most war-crazed we have in Europe while the right is for peace and detente.
It is a strange situation when such an unlikely figure as Josep Borrell finds himself forced to warn his colleagues that Europe's boundlessly complacent double standards are uniting the whole world against us, see https://responsiblestatecraft.org/munich-security-conference-gaza-israel/. And it is the liberal center, including social democrats, who are responsible for this.
And at the same time we have the phenomenon that the economy is pointing downwards, partly as a result of the war. This is obviously without the ruling coalition having any proposal for how it can be reversed, at least nothing that looks credible.
I've written it before: we have a glaring lack of credible programs and movements that can support them, see https://gemensam.wordpress.com/2023/02/08/den-allsidiga-krisen-kraver-en-ny-sorts-program/. We should not be surprised by the election results
Neoliberalism, which has dominated the EU and the West, makes room for right-wing extremism historically. The creators of the austerity policies after the First World War knew this. I am happy that the red ones seem to have done well in Sweden. In the EU, the balance of power does not seem to change much unless the liberal-conservatives switch sides. Maybe it can be an awakening for the red-green and center parties in Europe that they have to go more to the left?
Politics at the state level, and even more so at the global regional level, is a project of compromise. Politicians can only compromise between programs that already exist. And unfortunately there is nothing with strong enough forces to fight for it, except the program of the capitalists and the upper middle class.
So as for "go more left" I don't understand what that means.
As Johan Ehrenberg put it many years ago: first the citizens win and deteriorate a lot. Then the socialites win and keep the burghers' program and make it worse a little. So the burghers win through and deteriorate a lot. So the vassals win and keep the burghers' deteriorations and further deteriorate a little.
Only capitalists and the upper middle class are politically mobilized, and then that's how it goes.
PS. Perhaps I should add that those who would have been able to mobilize for something else, i.e. in principle the voters of the social democrats, have been demobilized and tied hand and foot by the social democratic party, by trick and treating. And then I'm not primarily talking about the ugly methods, like blacklisting, but about the kind ones, like "sit still in the boat, we'll fix this for you, you don't have to do anything at all". This has proven to be life-threatening!
Agree with.