"The French people have stood together to defend democracy; this is a powerful signal. They have rejected, in all regions of France, the discourse of fear put forward by the Front National" says Gianni Pittella on the outcome of the second round of the regional elections in France.
"However, the increased support for the extreme right in France and other European countries is a cause of great concern to us. It is not terrorism that has been responsible for Marine Le Pen's progress in certain regions. It is the austerity policies imposed in the last number of years on France, and Europe as a whole, which have wiped out thousands of jobs and have pushed the European economy into recession.
"Europe must radically change. The European institutions must finally put an end to policies of blind austerity and boost growth through investments. Europe should be driving growth, not stopping it. Without investment we cannot have economic development. If we want to close the door to populists, the EU must be capable of rewriting its own future."
