EPA Manifesto
2020 Europolis Convention
"Towards a Progressive Europe"
Introduction
The European Progressive Alliance is a caucus of progressive, democratic and pro-European partisans.
We believe in universal equality and freedom. We seek to protect and advance human rights and champion democracy and democratic decision-making. We believe that social justice, social inclusion, and cultural cohesion are all vital to building a fair and prosperous future.
We believe in free market values and promote trade liberalisation. We advocate for market integration and economic cohesion. We believe that a free and competitive economic system, along with fair trade rules, just worker’s rights, and a sustainable environment, will be key to establishing successful and thriving economies that work to benefit European workers the most.
Above all, we believe that the European Union is the best political institution for implementing our principles. We recognise that a growing number of issues are facing all of Europe, from matters of environmental degradation to the threats of human safety and liberty, and we believe that the European Union is best suited to address these problems. We believe in a strong European Union, and we believe in one that can produce fair and sensible solutions. We believe that Europe is weak when it is divided but is strong when it comes together. The European Union is best when it is united by its diversity, which we aim to unite in pursuit of our common causes.
Policy - Ideological
We support the equality of all persons before the law, regardless of their race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, culture, national origin, ethnicity, religion, language, ability, or other characteristics, without privilege, discrimination, or bias.
We support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all of the rights and freedoms it pertains to. We believe that the Declaration should be further expanded if need be, particularly in order to protect Europe’s most vulnerable people, and to advance the true equality of all persons. We believe that these rights should not only be outlined, but should also be fully protected and enforced by the European Union’s institutions.
We support the cooperation and collaboration of people and communities, and respect any differences within them. We support principles based upon social inclusion, cultural cohesion and multiculturalism. We believe that we must protect and safeguard minority identities, cultural diversity, and Europe’s many languages, so that everyone can prosper without having to sacrifice any parts of themselves or their heritage.
We support democratic political decision-making and believe that political power must be placed within the hands of the people. We believe that the European people should be allowed to democratically choose their representatives in their own government and within the institutions of the European Union.
We support the freedom to life and liberty, and we believe that this includes a life free from authoritarianism, arbitrary surveillance, or unjust punishment.
We support technological innovations and believe that technology should be used to better society. We believe that better access to technology should be encouraged, and that access must be treated equally and justly.
We believe and recognise that humans have contributed to climate change and the environmental destruction of the Earth. We support strong initiatives and extensive measures for a sustainable and environmentally just future.
Policy – Economic
We support free market economics and the freedom for individuals to pursue their own wealth.
We support trade liberalisation and the reduction of trade barriers between European states. By reducing barriers, we support the integration of European economies and their markets so that European consumers and workers can benefit from greater economic opportunities.
We support the creation of international trade rules, market standardizations and mechanisms to resolve international trade disputes. We believe that European states will have a greater chance to prosper within a fair, just and accountable international economic order.
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in an economy, and that all workers should have protected rights. We support workplaces, jobs, markets and economies that safeguard and protect the rights of workers and promote their best interests.
We support the right to private property, including the right to intellectual property.
Policy – Institutional
We support the cooperation and collaboration of European states, and we believe that division makes the European Union weaker.
We support international order and the creation of norms within the European Union, so that member states behave in a way that makes them more accountable to their actions and are more likely to follow the laws of the European Union, its Constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We believe that many issues are occurring at a European-wide scale, and we believe that this requires increased decision-making at a supranational level, and we believe that the European Union is required to address these issues.
We support the government of the European Union. We believe that the legislative and executive bodies of the European Union require substantial decision-making capabilities and powers in order to accomplish its goals.
We support the institutions of the European Union, and we believe they should be effective and well-funded. We believe that many regional issues should be addressed through institutions, and that these institutions should be used to encourage and champion peace, cohesion, community, democracy and the rule of law.
We believe in a European Union that is purposeful and intentional with its policy and direction. We believe that the institutions of the European Union should have roles and duties that are clearly defined and made evident.
We support the European Court of Justice, and we believe that its powers and duties should be better defined so that it can enforce the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more effectively.
We believe the institutions and government of the European Union should be democratically elected and accountable.
We support the enlargement of the European Union and believe as many states as possible should join our European community.
We support the fair and equal treatment of all European Union member states. We believe that each member state of the European Union should be entitled to an equal voice without discrimination or distinction as to their size or population.
We believe that the European Union should be committed to defending our allies and other regions abroad. We support the activities of the European Corps.
Caucus Structure
The caucus shall be made up of full members and associate members.
All full members shall have equal rights on deciding caucus policy and in electing a Chairperson to lead the caucus.
All caucus policy decisions and Chairperson elections shall be made through democratic processes, in which each full member shall be allowed to cast a single vote. All decisions shall be made by the largest plurality. Associate members do not get to vote.
The Chairperson shall serve as the official head of the caucus and will undertake all the administrative duties of the caucus. The Chairperson shall also appoint full members to specific policy portfolios.
The Chairperson of the caucus shall be elected after they secure a plurality of votes through an official democratic process. Only full members may nominate themselves for chairpersonship. Chairpersons will not face any term limits, and their terms shall last for a whole calendar year. Chairperson elections should take place following the first European Commission election of the year.
All full members shall be appointed to a specific portfolio that concerns an area of European policy by the Chairperson. All members of the caucus are entitled to give their full opinions on any area of policy they please, but those appointed to a certain policy portfolio are expected to be the strongest and most vocal caucus representative within that area.
Any Councillor may apply to join the caucus and become a full member. An applicant councillor shall require the approval of the Chairperson in order to be accepted as full member.
Any non-councillors may request associate membership, which shall be decided by the Chairperson. Associate members automatically become full members when they become a Councillor of the European Council.
Previous Manifestos
2016 Manifesto
