DECLARATION OF ATHENSA budget for democracy
We, the Socialists and Progressives elected in local and regional governments, declare that the proposals of the European Commission linked to the future EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework – MFF) pose a threat to European democracy in our municipalities, cities and regions and risk undermining the future of the European project.
We recognise that EU integration is at a critical juncture, shaped by the urgency of the ecological transition, geopolitical challenges, the need to regain competitiveness, persistent economic, social, gender and territorial disparities, demographic change, soaring housing and energy prices and unequal access to opportunities. These challenges demand both bold and fair reforms.
We reaffirm that the solution lies in strengthening the European model, not dismantling it. Our answer is clear: we need more democracy, more participation and more social justice.
However, the Commission’s proposal for the next long-term budget turns its back on citizens. By dismantling truly European policies, like cohesion and agricultural policies, in favour of 27 different development and investment models, the Commission will weaken the internal market instead of reinforcing it. By sidelining municipalities and regions where the representatives closest to the people serve and where European policies take on real meaning or fail to do so, the Commission’s approach risks fuelling anti-EU sentiment and the far right. Across Europe, authoritarian and anti-democratic forces are turning insecurity into fear, fear into division, and division into political gain. This is not the Europe we want. ‘United in diversity’ must mean more than words; it must mean robust multilevel governance where every voice counts.
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How we can build a better country together!
Elections make a fundamental contribution to democratic governance. Because direct democracy – a form of government in which political decisions are made directly by the entire body of qualified citizens – is impractical in most modern societies, democratic government must be conducted through representatives.
EUROPE STARTS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE • A BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE AND PLACES • A EUROPE THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST • EUROPE STARTS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE • A BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE AND PLACES • A EUROPE THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST • EUROPE STARTS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE • A BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE AND PLACES • A EUROPE THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST • EUROPE STARTS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE • A BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE AND PLACES • A EUROPE THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST
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