Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament will hold a debate with Hungarian politicians, experts and civil society in Budapest this Friday. The S&D Group has launched a long-term vision for a more sustainable and equitable society so that the European Union brings opportunities to all, and leaves no one behind.
The leader of the S&D Group, Udo Bullmann MEP, will participate in the #EuropeTogether conference for a more social Europe with S&D MEPs István Ujhelyi, Csaba Molnár and Tibor Szanyi, (from MSZP and DK) among other speakers.
Today, the S&D Group will also hold a Go Local discussion with municipal authorities and civil society in Nyírbátor, focusing on the future of regional policy and building on the EU Commission’s initiative for EU Action for Smart Villages.
“We are going to Hungary to send a bold pro-European signal. With Orbán’s authoritarian, right-wing politics and constant attacks on the European Union, the current government under Victor Orbán has led his country more and more into isolation, depriving the next generation from having a better future, which we can only build in a strong and united Europe. Yet, there are also pro-European voices from politics and civic society that deserve our greatest attention. We listen to you and we are happy to come to Hungary to present to you our agenda for a socially inclusive and sustainable Europe,” said Udo Bullmann.
“We want to make sure that all Europeans have equal chances to have a good life, regardless of where they live. We are fighting for a new cohesion and regional policy that will ensure that young people can find a decent job in their home region and do not have to emigrate. We must bridge the digital divide and bring new possibilities and investments to regions to develop their full potential. This is why we have launched an appeal for a renewed regional and cohesion policy,” he added.
“Access to proper healthcare and education are crucial, as included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We European progressives are also calling for a minimum wage and a minimum pension to ensure decent living. It is not acceptable to see old people who worked all through their life struggling when they retire, nor the ‘working poor’: people working full time, sometimes even combining two jobs, and yet they cannot make ends meet. We need a more social Europe, a Europe that lives up to the solidarity enshrined in the treaties. For this, we need the participation of all member-states. Hungary, this country in the centre of Europe that once paved the way to the unification of our continent, has to play a key role in our endeavour. We invite the Hungarian people to fully participate in this new strategy!” Bullmann concluded.
