As the first exit polls came in on election night, two things quickly became clear: increasing numbers of citizens were looking for an alternative to failed neoliberal austerity policies; and Left parties across Europe had successively struck a chord with many of these voters, earning their confidence as the real representatives of that alternative. As a result, the GUE/NGL group in the European parliament has increased in numbers by 50 per cent - up from 34 to 52 MEPs.
The general mood during the campaign in the run up to these elections was that EU leaders’ recent policies have devastated our societies and brought our economies to the brink, with particular anger about their response to the financial, social and environmental crisis. From the outset of the crisis, Left parties have continually called for alternatives to this austerity-led response. These parties’ gains show that this message has been heard. And it is not just established Left parties that returned impressive results: several new Left parties have appeared on the scene, winning people’s trust with their message of reclaiming democracy and indignation with EU leaders that put the needs of financial elites over those of the majority of citizens.
"We need an open and transparent selection process for the top jobs in EU institutions, not a backroom stitch up between the biggest political families"
I was very happy last week to welcome both freshly elected and re-elected members from parties new and old to our group and I am looking forward to working together as part of a strengthened Left force within the European parliament that works to give a strong voice to the poor, the workers, the excluded, the unemployed, the young, women, and the disabled, as well as to social movements and trade unions. These principles will inform our work and how we seek to influence politics and policies in the EU institutions. As I see it, first there has to be a broad discussion on political alternatives with all democratic political groups in parliament involved and consulted. From the very beginning, we did not and will not support failed and undemocratic bodies such as the troika with its disastrous austerity. Europe needs leaders who will reject this approach and its resulting inequality. Correspondingly, we need an open and transparent selection process for the top jobs in EU institutions, not a backroom stitch up between the biggest political families. We demand an inclusive debate on the major issues before choosing who should fill these jobs - secretive arrangements just don’t cut it.
Over the next five years the Left will continue to fight harder than ever for its priorities: jobs; equality; the fight against poverty and social exclusion; real democracy, a socially and ecologically sustainable economic development; and for a Europe of civil rights and peace. This will mean stepping up our challenge to austerity and tackling the dangerous rise of the far-right. As negotiations on an EU-US trade deal progress we must continue to highlight the threat it poses to our hard-won social and ecological standards.
Additionally, a very positive aspect of the new GUE/NGL group is that we have emerged as the most gender-balanced group in the parliament - 26 women, 26 men. Gender equality is a key priority for the Left and the enlarged group practices what it preaches and continues to fight for equality and women’s rights across Europe.
With new members joining us, our group will now set about laying down a strategy to exploit our diversity and potential. Millions of citizens have put their faith in us and we will not disappoint them.