At the request of the Socialists and Democrats, the European Parliament is today debating the threat to EU competitiveness posed by the collaboration of the conservatives and the far right and their policy proposal. By undermining political stability, the predictability for companies, investment, and skilled labour supply are put at risk. The Social Democrats focus on innovation through the green transition with investments in industries and re-skilling, fostering high employment for growth stability and re-industrialisation.

René Repasi, Head of the German SPD delegation, said:

"Europe must strengthen our single market to face the challenges of this century. Our recipe is clear:  closer cooperation, removing barriers in the internal market, upholding high standards for workers and the environment by attracting skilled workers and investors, and investing in a climate-neutral future. For us, competitiveness means securing jobs and fair wages.

"Instead, many EU countries are drifting to the right, often through the co-operation of conservatives with extremists. Only two weeks ago, the German conservatives torpedoed the firewall against the far right when they tried to pass laws with the support of far-right AfD. The very leader, who for weeks vowed that not even once will there be an accidental or actual majority with those from the AfD in parliament – until he broke his promise. This dangerous cooperation undermines stability and predictability, thereby weakening Europe as a business location.

"By kicking the predictability of politics to the curb and proposing dangerous policy proposals, this alliance threatens to undermine our competitiveness. Closing borders violates EU law, damages our relationship with our EU partners at a time of geopolitical upheaval when we need to stand together, and deters much needed qualified workers from third countries. Backtracking on the Green Deal would result in the jobs of tomorrow being created outside of the EU and reduce Europe to an industry museum. Tax cuts for the rich on the back of the working middle class would tear huge holes in the budget and damage the social fabric of our societies.

"Competitiveness must not be confused with the Wild West anarchy of megalomaniac tech billionaires who are dismantling democracy instead of bureaucracy. The right wing's idea of competitiveness leaves large sections of the population behind. Competitiveness based on cooperation with the far right is not sustainable and jeopardises everything that social democrats in Europe stand for. Competitiveness is about people in Europe still having secure jobs tomorrow, earning good living wages."