S&D Group leader Udo Bullmann: We count on Sweden as a beacon of progressive hope in Europe
Date
03 Apr 2019
Sections
Global Europe
Following the debate on the future of Europe with the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven, S&D Group leader Udo Bullmann said:
“It was a special pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, in the European Parliament today. From gender equality and tech start-ups, to pension systems, parental leave and sustainability: Sweden is a world leader. The Swedish Social Democrats have time and again proven to be trailblazers for social progress. We count on Sweden as a beacon of progressive hope in Europe!
“In this spirit, we also thanked Stefan Löfven for preventing the formation of a government that would have included right-wing populists in Sweden. In numerous other European countries, where populists and right-wing forces gained power, we can see the devastating effects. They only play on people’s fears and divide societies, while not providing any solutions to the real challenges of our time.
“Stefan Löfven and his government are offering true alternatives to the politics of hatred. When refugees needed our help, they lived up to European values and showed solidarity and responsibility. At the same time, they understood that we need to create fair living conditions for every European citizen. After years of neoliberalism, the Swedish Social Democrats put their country on a new track along the lines of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs lead the way towards a fair economic and social model that leaves no one behind while respecting the natural boundaries of our planet. This is what we want for the whole of Europe.”