The leader of European Socialists and Democrats Gianni Pittella welcomed with relief the result of the French presidential election, which saw the clear victory of Emmanuel Macron this Sunday.
"In the face of the dark and regressive campaign of the Front National candidate, the victory of Emmanuel Macron is a relief for France, and also for Europe. The worst case scenario has been avoided. However this victory has a left bitter taste in our mouths. An extreme right candidate, who aimed at making the destruction of the EU her business, has gathered more than a third of the votes. All European democrats must wake up.
"The election has revealed important social and cultural divides between the advocates of an open and inclusive society and those who feel left behind by globalisation. This fissure is not new, and it is not unique to France. It affects other European countries such as Austria, the Netherlands and even the United Kingdom; territories where right-wing forces continue to prosper. Europe can no longer afford to stand idly by and wait for the storm to pass. We, the leaders of the European left, have a duty to learn the lessons from this moment.
"We call on the new president to respond to millions of French people who have expressed doubts about Europe and his programme. To ignore these concerns would be a grave mistake. For our part, the European Socialists and Democrats, we have embarked on the reorientation of Europe. We must abandon austerity and provide greater flexibility in the management of public finances, in order to allow the return of sustained growth. We advocate a new European investment plan to support the transition to a green economy and foster the ongoing digital revolution. We will continue our struggle for greater tax justice. We call for a pillar of social rights that protects our citizens from the negative effects of globalisation and allows them to make a decent living. These are the foundations of the reconstruction of the European democratic left."
