We have always stressed that the result of the first referendum - the refusal of the treaty - must be respected. In the second referendum, called for by the government in Dublin and under pressure of the other EU States, and thus ignoring a democratic decision of the citizens, a majority agreed. This decision also has to be respected. But the number of NO-votes shows how serious the concerns of a large part of the population are regarding the political orientation in the EU.
Our sharp criticism on the Lisbon Treaty remains. With this treaty, the political aim of the "free-market economy with free competition" is pursued. The policy based on this principle, the policy of the liberalisation of financial markets, tax competition, decoupling the financial and the economic policy and dismantling the social welfare state, led to the economic and financial crisis and to the expansion of poverty and inequality.
Furthermore, obliging the Member States to "gradually improve their military capacities", with the incorporation of a military agency into the EU primary legislation and the facilitation of worldwide military missions the Lisbon treaty promotes aggressive enforcement of European interests. There is a neo-liberal perversion of political thinking: Those in Europe, who advocate for armament, are considered as friends of Europe. Those in Europe, who fight for disarmament, are considered as enemies of Europe.
Particularly the Left in Europe challenges this development. With our partners in trade unions, non-governmental organisations and other progressive parties we will continue to encourage a genuine civil society debate about a future European Union which acts in the interests of the people. In the European Parliament the GUE/NGL group strongly advocates for a social European Union with minimum wages EU in all Member States and for the introduction of a social progress clause in its primary legislation. We argue for a peaceful foreign policy, disarmament and non-military conflict settlement, for a fair international economic system based on solidarity and for a strict control of the financial markets.
Lothar Bisky, President of the European Left
