The migration issue will be one of the key points in the campaign of Sumar in the European Parliament elections on June 9. Their lead candidate, former director general of CEAR Estrella Galán, announced at the presentation of their electoral program that the leftist party will work to “repeal” the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. The coalition aims to differentiate itself from the PSOE, with measures such as a universal inheritance of 20,000 euros at the age of 23, a reduction of the work week to 32 hours, creation of a tax on oil companies, and lowering the voting age to 16. Galán referred to the migration pact as a “direct threat to human rights” and stated that it will have devastating effects.
In their program, Sumar advocates for facing the “fortress Europe” and moving towards a Union of “welcome”. They propose renegotiating and implementing a pact that is “guaranteed, supportive, and fully respects human rights”, investigating and addressing breaches of international law in migration management, promoting safe and legal entry routes, establishing independent human rights monitoring mechanisms at European borders, closing EU Internment Centers, and halting border externalization agreements.
Sumar aims to launch a European-wide pilot project for universal inheritance funded by the EU, providing a 20,000 euro grant at age 23 to combat inequality and support young people in their personal and professional development. They also plan to introduce a progressive European emancipation allowance for people aged 18 to 25 and work towards lowering the voting age to 16 in all EU member states for all elections. Additionally, they propose a 15% minimum tax on oil companies’ profits for funding ecological justice initiatives and European-wide adoption of a 2% minimum tax on large fortunes.
In their program, Sumar also brings to Europe the Ministry of Labor’s main agenda item of reducing the work week to 32 hours without a salary reduction. They also propose including abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and protecting LGBTQ+ rights against the rise of the extreme right in Europe. In terms of foreign policy, Sumar seeks immediate recognition of the State of Palestine by EU member states, suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and funds, an effective embargo on arms sales to Israel, and a diplomatic effort in Ukraine. They also advocate for EU strategic autonomy, rationalization and unification of military spending into a European army for strict self-defense mandates, and curbing pressure to increase arms investment.
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