Tsipras and Corbyn to rub shoulders with center-left leaders in Paris

François Hollande’s long-awaited meeting of the European left will take place in Paris tomorrow (Saturday 12 March), as the EU’s socialist leaders struggle to convert promises into economic results and jobs. EURACTIV France reports.

“This shows that François Hollande is the driving force behind social issues in Europe,” a source in the French Socialist party said.

The invitation of Alexis Tsipras to this meeting of predominantly center-left leaders is an interesting political manoeuvre, at a time when Hollande is consistently giving concessions to the right.

Between the continuous state of emergency, in force since 13 November, the constitutional amendment that will allow the French government to strip its citizens of their nationality and the draft employment bill, the French president’s popularity on the left is under strain, including in his own Socialist Party.

According to an editorial by Sergei Stanishev, the president of the Party of European Socialists, “Populists will not offer solutions. Our socialist and democrat family, on the other hand, offer real solutions to shape the EU for the benefit of the people. Unlike other political families we have a common European project, we have developed a common agenda for growth and we stand by it.”

But the efficiency of this programme can justifiably be questioned. Growth is anaemic in the eurozone, with unemployment persisting at a historic high of 11%, compared to 9% across all 28 member states. And the European Central Bank (ECB) has struggled to inject liquidity into the economy, despite negative interest rates.

Leaked eurozone blueprint makes timid call for integration

EXCLUSIVE / A draft report by the heads of the EU’s five main institutions calls for faster eurozone integration, but gives little away in terms of social policy, a key area for Southern Europe. EURACTIV France reports. 

The question of a separate eurozone budget will also be on the table at the Paris meeting. Championed by Hollande, this idea would make the most fragile economies more resistant to crises, and above all instil solidarity in the way Europe’s economies interact.

Hollande and Merkel join forces to push for eurozone integration

Motivated by the urgent need for reform, the French and German heads of state will put aside their deep political differences and champion eurozone reform together. EURACTIV France reports.

The presence of UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn will also inevitably turn the spotlight to the question of Brexit. The veteran British socialist, who was catapulted to party leadership last September, is well-known for his sceptical views on the European Union. In the past he has supported Britain’s leaving the EU, but has backed the ‘in’ campaign for the June referendum.

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