Alde Party Liberal Bulletin 03 2014

Liberal Bulletin - THIRD ISSUE - 2014

The name of your party, MPT, the Party of the Earth Movement, seems to combine both a sense of responsibility towards future generations as well as a strong concern for sustainable policies in other political spheres. How would you describe the origins and priorities of your party?

Partido da Terra - MPT means, in English, The Earth Party, the acronym is MPT. It was founded in 1993 by a landscape architect, Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, as a movement of citizens concerned with serious environmental problems that were systematically occurring in Portugal during the 80’s and the earliest 90’s of last century. Protection of the environment is, therefore, at the core of MPT’s values. At national level, air, water and soil pollution, loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation, both in urban and rural settings, are a key concern as they directly affect citizens’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.

The European policy framework brought another dimension to these environmental concerns, adding climate policy, resource efficiency and circular economy to the priorities.

MPT later reformed its political agenda, and programmatic principles, in order to tackle all aspects of life within the Portuguese society.

But we kept in our political programme Ribeiro Telles’ dream: “a fairer society for all, where seniors can age with dignity, young people can live and work, and where all can have access to education, health care, justice and social welfare services, regardless of their social class, gender or ethnicity background, sustainable development, promotion of the Portuguese language, history and culture and the reform of the political system in order to increase and strengthen the involvement of citizens”.

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Earlier this year, your party successfully campaigned in the European elections.

What was your party’s key message in that election campaign?

of budget would your party propose to the citizens of Portugal?

In the European election campaign, MPT strongly committed to an intransigent defence of Democracy, Freedom, Citizenship and Ecology. Representative democracy should coexist with new forms of citizen participation in the decision-making process and greater political representation than traditional political parties. Democracy needs to be strengthened by the increase of credibility of its agents, its institutions and the democratic State itself, which can only be achieved through political honesty and truth.

Regretfully the government coalition has presented another austerity budgetary proposal for 2015, with heavy taxation and additional spending cuts on unemployment benefits, pensions, public servants wages and public education. MPT is in favour of a reduction of the tax burden for both families and businesses as a means to stimulate economic growth and activity, as well as a job creation.

The three slogan ideas were Freedom, Solidarity and Justice. Freedom, because respect for the values of freedom of expression and opinion, individually and collectively (Including free, diverse and uncensored media).

Justice, as we believe we need to fight and reduce the impunity of economic crimes, bribery, corruption and illegal lobbying in Portugal and in Europe; Reform of the judicial system, so citizens can have effective, efficient and high-quality responses from courts. Solidarity, as Portugal and Europe need a stronger solidarity commitment to handle all situations of inequality, poverty and injustice, especially concerning the elderly, children, victims of domestic violence and migrant populations. Europe’s problems should be solved through more integration, both financial and economic (including in in banking supervision system), and less technocracy.

Portugal’s government is currently led by a coalition of the conservative PSD and Partido Popular. It is reported they are extending into 2015 the main features of its unpopular austerity programme. What kind

TTIP will contribute towards leadership in standard-setting that will be a reference for global trade, also constituting an advantage to European businesses. 7

Although Portugal is still recovering from the 2011 near-bankruptcy, more government spending on measures to propel and stimulate the economy and create jobs are needed. Public investment needs to be more selective and carefully redirected towards sectors that render the Portuguese economy more competitive.

Portugal needs to implement structural reforms in order to regain investment, and not rely, solely, on a “cheaper labour and cheaper manufacturing” economic model.

Raising investments in education and R&D and innovation, should be seen as a priority in the development path.

Last year, almost 40% of young people in Portugal were unemployed according to figures from Eurostat (compared to Euro area average of 24%) and the rate remains high this year at about 35%. What do you propose to combat youth unemployment?

Better schooling conditions for young people, in order to combat early school leaving and improve apprenticeships and training, by creating a set of fiscal incentives for the SMEs in order to recruit young people right as they leave school and universities. Extending the Youth Guarantee up to age of 30 could provide additional opportunities for young professionals. At the same time, University and other educational paths need to be better tailored to train competences which match business needs. At European level I defend more public investment in those EU Member States which have outstanding budgetary surpluses. This can be a key to promote economic growth not only in those Member States but also in Portugal and in Europe as a whole, leading to job creation.

Take for example the recently announced German public investment package of six billion euros. It is expected that it will cause a 0.3% GDP growth in Portugal.

You are a member of the European Parliament delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and the delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly. How do you think

Liberal Bulletin - THIRD ISSUE - 2014

the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement would positively affect trade on a global level?

TTIP can have potentially discriminatory effects that will make Latin America countries lose market access and income. Latin America should strengthen their free trade models in

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order to mitigate the adverse consequences of the transatlantic pact. The European Institutions, namely the European Parliament, should keep their commitments and investments in Latin America, such as bilateral and multilateral friendship and cooperation agreements, as well as, a constant flow of formal and informal contacts and relations.

After many years of stalemate in climate negotiations I am glad to note that other major economic blocks are finally giving encouraging signs for a global agreement on climate change. 8

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On the other hand, it is also essential that TTIP can become an inclusive agreement, where other nations may be invited to become members. Opening up markets is a means of promoting economic competitiveness. By rebating trade barriers between the EU and the US we are creating a bigger market which is expected to offer European companies access to new opportunities with a projected impact in European GDP of 0.5% (€120 billion). Such a market will be enormously attractive to businesses around the world.

TTIP will contribute towards leadership in standard-setting that will be a reference for global trade, also constituting an advantage to European businesses. A remark that I need to make on TTIP concerns our health and environmental safety levels, which should never be jeopardised.

The United Nations Climate Summit was held this autumn. From a European Liberal Democrat perspective, what do you think the EU should do to curb negative effects of climate change?

From my point of view, economic growth is fully compatible with the implementation of climate change policies. Our energy system

Liberal Bulletin - THIRD ISSUE - 2014

is a major element in the fight against climate change. We need to ensure a rapid transition from the current fossil fuel-based energy system to a cleaner one. For that to happen, politicians must provide for the right investment environment to be in place through regulatory certainty.

Firstly, we need to have ambitious and legally binding targets for renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy efficiency. This will enable a stable and predictable business environment, which lowers business risks and translates into lower investment costs and into an opportunity for EU businesses to take the lead in technological development and green growth.

Secondly, we need to have a fully functional emission-trading scheme providing the right carbon price signals to the market. Presently, due to the economic downturn there is a huge surplus of CO2 emissions allowances.

That is why we need to reform the ETS system through the establishment of a market stability reserve.

Strong efforts are needed to push us towards the electrification of our transport system, which is a preponderant factor in our fossil

fuel import bills. The electric car system needs to regain momentum and its adoption will contribute to balance the increased share of variable (renewable) energy sources in the electric system, creating synergies and reducing system costs. In addition, rail also offers unexplored potential for development, namely in cargo.

Finally, I believe that we cannot move alone along this path. I believe that these policies need to be combined with a stronger political effort to involve our global partners.

After many years of stalemate in climate negotiations I am glad to note that other major economic blocks are finally giving encouraging signs for a global agreement on climate change.

What could you recommend the delegates to the ALDE Party Congress in Lisbon as a must-see in your capital? Would you have a secret tip what makes Lisbon so special?

Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with plenty of places to visit, but I would recommend “São Pedro de Alcântara” belvedere (“miradouro” in Portuguese), located at the top end of Gloria’s funicular route, as one of best views of the city. Also a 9

stroll inside tramway number 28, from Campo de Ourique to Martim Moniz, is a tourist circuit not to be missed. A breakfast at the Pastéis de Belém, near the touristic site of Jerónimos, is a must not to be missed. A dinner in the Alfama district, at a restaurant where you can enjoy Fado’s music, is an unforgettable experience.

My secret tip on Lisbon is its people. Lisboners are very special, kind, easy-going people and will make you feel welcome wherever you go.

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Liberal Bulletin - THIRD ISSUE - 2014

In Europe today the term Liberal is again commonly used as a term of depreciation.

Yet without a strong dose of Liberalism in the politics of our continent we will surely not meet the major challenges we face.

” President’s Column ‘You call me an ultra liberal and you believe to insult me by that; my only answer should be to thank you for it’, wrote the poet Charles Baudelaire. In Europe today the term Liberal is again commonly used as a term of depreciation. Yet without a strong dose of Liberalism in the politics of our continent we will surely not meet the major challenges we face.

Europe’s economy is insufficiently competitive. The contours of the world economy are drawn not here but on the computer campuses of California, in the call centres of India, in the factories of China and Brazil. Unless we can boost productivity and economic growth rates through Liberal policies we will not provide or maintain the living standards to which our citizens aspire. (Trade policy is crucial in this regard. Mercifully, at the European Commission, it is again in the hands of a Liberal Commissioner.)

Europe’s society is largely unaware of the imperative of inward migration to maintain living standards. Far from being a burden on the public purse, all serious studies show that migrants contribute more to the economy of their host societies than they cost. Liberals must point out that unless ageing societies are generous in opening their doors to those wishing to come, living standards will fall. Of course, policies of active integration are essential; and they do not dilute peoples’ identity. Identity is too often seen in contrast to integration. But a strong and well-rooted identity is active and

presupposes integration. The opposite of integration is not identity: it is disintegration.

The cost to the EU of having no immigration policy of its own is that criminals set the policy, exploiting the laws of supply and demand.

Over 30,000 human beings have been trafficked into the EU this year, mostly for the purposes of forced labour or sexual exploitation. The profits from this vile trade - together with those from the trades in narcotic drugs and in the smuggling of arms - make some criminal syndicates today more powerful than some national governments.

The financial action task force of the G20 estimates the proceeds of international crime to be US$ 1.6 trillion, or 2.7% of global GDP. As Mark Twain observed, a criminal is half way around the world before the policeman has his boots on. Liberals know that the rule of law is central to a just society. Greater cross-border co-operation between police and judicial authorities is urgently needed.

In a rapidly digitalising society, issues of privacy and data protection must be of great concern to Liberals. While the collection and sharing of information between administrations for the purposes of fighting crime can be hugely beneficial to promoting the rule of law, the age-old Liberal question quis custodiet ipsos custodes must be posed anew and adequate legislation passed to protect the rights to privacy and dignity.

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Liberal Bulletin - THIRD ISSUE - 2014

A prosperous, green and free Europe I believe in a liberal Europe. To me the EU is both a home for and a source of freedom and democracy.

We work together to create freedom of choice, welfare, prosperity - to take environmental responsibility and for peaceful conflict resolution.

The single market has worked well the last decades. The single market has made European companies competitive worldwide, created millions of jobs, and increased the wealth in member countries and in Europe dramatically.

We should harvest the same benefits from an expanded and improved single digital market, service market and Energy Union.

about the climate agreement that was the result of the latest EU Council in October.

Climate change poses major challenges to our welfare and wealth and to stability in Europe’s neighbourhood. The European dependence on Russian gas and Middle Eastern oil gives Putin and other authoritarian leaders too much leverage on European politics.

energy. This will help us overcome the dual challenges of climate change and dependence, while at the same time create jobs within the areas of green tech, construction and energy.

To me it is a true liberal value that we will both take care of the major societal challenges while at the same time ensure that businesses and citizens can develop and search for possibilities.

We must maintain our ambitions when it comes to the green transition of the European economy, especially the energy sector. Therefore, I am particularly happy

It is important to increase the production of renewable energy in Europe. We must work on the massive potential benefits within energy efficiency and improve the internal market on

Therefore, we also need to further European solidarity on the issue of the refugees and immigrants who enter member states like Malta, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. The refugees

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