Castellón president faces two years

CASTELLÓN provincial president Carlos Fabra (pictured) is facing a call for two years in prison and a fine of 6,000 euros for alleged document forgery.

The prosecuting council, personified by the anticorruption prosecution office, is demanding the sentence for the PP leader in the province for allegedly forging official stamps and signatures ‘up to six times' to obtain production permits for two agricultural product companies partly owned by his wife (see Costa Levante News no. 195).

Read the article from Costa News

We cannot rely on those who put us in the crisis

Reporting PSC-PSOE activists from Barcelona: For a coordinated European recovery plan from Igualada

For a coordinated European recovery plan from Igualada, one of the major catalan textile areas. “We cannot allow those who put us in the crisis to lead the policies to get us ouf of it. Progressive forces have to have the majority in EP to relauching economy putting people first”.

European Socialist have made a commitment to launch seven specific measures to get out of the crisis, to relaunch the economy, strengthening the investments in employment and sustainable growth, regulate financial markets and defend the establishment of a Social Progress Deal and a new Chart of Women’s right to guarantee equal opportunities.

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Mr. Zapatero in Valencia

La Fonteta (23-05-09) Packed with enthusiastic progressists!

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Our mates from la Vila went to Valencia

Mr Zapatero said we must vote for the European Socialists because these represent what the majority of peolpe in Spain and in Europe think. We socialists, like most people in the street, are for progress, respecting others and our surroundings, defending democracy and getting new rights for the future.

He said that Mr Rajoy, the leader of the left-wing party (PP), had tried to frighten citizens by telling them that with the socialist Spain would break into pieces, and there it is united and with a socialist president in the Basque Autonomous Community. Moreover, as José Fernándo Lopez Aguilar, number one in the Spanish socialist list for the European Parliament, put it, we need a strong, united Europe able to play the important role of leadership towards a more reasonable, juster world!

Mr Rajoy had foreseen the disappearance of families, and no such thing has happened. on the contrary, the are far more families, and of more types, and people are happier because they can love who they love and be respected, without feeling quilty or ashamed. Tolerance is what we need, not hypocrisy.

The President added that during the Debate of the State of the nation Rajoy was unable to present even just one proposal to help Spain go out of the world crisis, whereas Zapatero presented a full programme of ideas and has been able to make them prosper. So he assures us that we will see the end of the crisis -and it will not take very long-, but, as the socialists do everything, making changes so that it will not happen again -at least in the same terrible way: by making our economy strong basing it, not longer and exclusively on the building business, but investing in new jobs and industry developed from ecology and social services. Those work sources will never end!

The Audience was happy to hear left-wing ideas again!

Count down to July 7

The campaign has started!

Yesterday night before 24.00 h. everybody was prepared to start the campaign for the European Elections as usual with the putting up of posters asking for our vote. And so did the socialists in la Vila. See some photos.

Regional president in the dock

Big cheese testifies in corruption case
By Tom Cain
VALENCIA regional president Francisco Camps was in court on Wednesday to answer charges that he received gifts from a company involved in the Operation Gürtel corruption scandal in exchange for political favours.
Nearly all leading Valencian PP members, starting with Valencia mayoress Rita Barberá, turned up at the courthouse show their support, which was also voiced by party leader Mariano Rajoy.
Sr Camps was in court from 08.25 until 11.27 and on exiting he told waiting reporters he was ‘very satisfied' with the outcome and he hoped it would be the end of what has been a very difficult few months.
During the hearing he said he had paid cash for the suits and other clothes in question, but he did not have any receipts.
When questioned on other matters he said he did not have any other information because his knowledge of the case was limited.
He did admit that he knew Álvaro Pérez, the man who ran the promotional company Orange Market in Valencia, but only on a personal level and he denied ever doing any favours for him.
On leaving the court he was bombarded with questions from the media but he refused to answer any of them. He was also met with angry shouts from some members of the public, who called for him to resign.

Article from Costa News

The warmth of the sun and of Spanish people

Historic day for expats
PMs visit Torrevieja and Alfaz del Pi
By Tom Cain
SPANISH prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg joined almost 3,500 people on Sunday to celebrate Norway Day in Alfaz del Pi.
At the start of the day the Norwegian PM paid a visit to Torrevieja where he met with Norwegian residents there.
Later in the day he arrived in Alfaz where he met up with Sr Zapatero to enjoy the Norway Day celebrations with music and traditional dancing.
During his speech to the public, PM Stoltenberg told the Norwegian community that they needed not only to enjoy the warmth of the sun on the Costa Blanca but also enjoy the warmth of the Spanish people.
Sr Zapatero thanked them for their efforts in bringing the Norwegian culture to the town and told them they would always be welcome in Spain.
Sr Zapatero arrived in Alfaz by helicopter at 14.50, landing at the football pitch where he was welcomed by government delegate in Alicante, Ricardo Peralta and sub-delegate in Alicante, Encarna Llinares along with the head of the Guardia Civil.
Before his arrival, Prime Minister Stoltenberg participated in the traditional parade through the town accompanied by mayor Vicente Arques.

Article from Costa News

In the photo, behind Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, holding a child on his knees, we can see Herick Campos, the National Deputy from Villajoyosa.

What will they vote?

What matters is not what they think but what they will vote!

There are people who think and say things like these:
Climate change is a lie.
Immigrants take jobs from us.
In Europe there is only room for one religion.
I believe health care should be private.
Homosexuality is an illness.
I'm for free reduncencies.
I'm in favour of death penalty.

The problem is not what they think, but who they are going to vote for!

The Importance of The European elections

Sant Jaume d’Enveja, a town i n the South of Catalonia in the banks of the Ebre, is the place where PSC-PSOE activists have celebrated the third PES European Day of Action, “Fighting climate change”.

Alejandro Colldefors, who is PSC candidate to the European elections as well as responsible for the PSC's European working group focused on Europe and International matters, stressed the crucial importance of the elections on June 7th. He claimed that the next European elections may be interpreted through a national perspective and as a test for Spanish government. However, the message we must give is that neoliberal and conservative European policies are the ones that have led us to the current unsustainable crisis situation. That is why, Colldefors said, “Change has to come to Europe too”. He also recalled that among 27 Member States, only 8 are led by socialists, social-democrats or labourists, but only one among the largest countries: Spain. Then, he explained that European Socialists campaign – and PSOE-PSC campaign – will focus on essential issues to deal with the crisis and establish a true and new European Social model. One of these main topics is Climate change.

On the other hand, Sandra Ramos, PSC candidate to the European elections for Tarragona region – where Sant Jaume d’Enveja is located-, underlined that the Socialists are making a united and common European proposal to fight against climate change, in contrast to conservative forces that are dependent on particular economical interests. Ramos remarked that there are still some European right-wing members that are sceptical about the scientific research on climate change effects – such as the former right-wing Spanish Prime Minister JM. Aznar- and vote against many key measures such as Sun protection laws or policies to improve water control. Furthermore, Ramos considers that the Common Energy Policy is a key issue along with the established aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% in 2020 and increase the use of renewable energies. On a local level, a great deal for water management and the increase and improvement of railway networks should become European priorities for the next EP mandate. That’s why Ramos stressed that a progressive majority is needed to face all these great challenges in a sensitive and social way, putting people first.

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European Day of Action - Special report from Mallorca

This was an exiting experience! It was a pleasure to see all those activists engaging in a debate with their MEP. Several topics were touched: the European Elections, why it is important to go to vote, how the 7th of June is an incredible opportunity to get the New Social Europe we want and then of course climate change, and the different view the European Socialists have toward the issue, and in particular towards the potential of renewable energy, in comparison to the EPP, which only proposes a return to nuclear energy, with little concern for the risks this poses.

What a better way to celebrate the European Day for Climate Change than a bike tour across Palma? Activists started arriving in Parc de Sa Riera around 11.30 ...

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Norway Day

It's been a lovely celebration. If you couldn't go, we have here some images for you to see!

See Images

Congratulations!

PM Zapatero to visit Alfaz del Pi

Premier to join Norway Day celebrations with Norwegian counterpart

Mayor Arques and Norwegian consuls announcing the visit on Tuesday

ALFAZ del Pi will be welcoming two prime ministers this afternoon (Sunday May 17) as local Norway Day celebrations will bring together Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg.

Throughout the day there will be a full programme of events and thousands of expats are expected to participate.

Over 50 per cent of the population of Alfaz del Pi is foreign with the majority coming from other EU states and around 2,000 Norwegians live there.

The council has issued an edict urging all residents to attend the event as well as throwing the invitation open to the whole of the Costa Blanca.

Mayor Vicente Arques said that it will be an historic day for the town because it will be the first time that it has been visited by a Spanish PM.

The festivities will kick off with a parade through the town starting at 14.30.

The parade will finish at the Casa de Cultura where various other acts will take place including musical acts from Spain and Norway.

This will be followed by giant paella at the sports complex.

(Information taken from Costa News)

Winds of change

We northern Europeans often complain about the blustery, rainy, windy weather that batters our shores, but this climate also offers us great potential to face the economic and environmental storms overhead. That’s because on our very coastlines we have a resource which can provide more energy than the Gulf oilfields and create thousands of jobs, but with zero emissions: wind

But it won't happen on its own. It needs public support, it needs Government support at all levels including at the European level, and it needs political will. Today activists, candidates, MEPs and national and local politicians from the PES political family are holding the third in our historic series of European Days of Action, on the topic “Transforming Europe into the leading global force against climate change”.

That’s because we think a progressive majority in the next European Parliament is essential to get projects like the North Sea Ring, and the European cooperation it needs, moving.


Also in Spain: This morning there was a successful bike ride in Alicante (like in other cities) to make people aware that we socialists are determined to develop and use other kinds of energy, such as wind, solar and tidal energy, which are not only useful and profitable but also enviromentally friendly.

Property tax deduction to be axed

By James Parkes

THE STATE of the Nation debate which began in Parliament today (12-05-09) started with a huge shock for future property buyers as PM Zapatero announced plans to scrap the IRPF deduction for property purchases from 2011.

Sr Rodríguez Zapatero said the deduction will only be available to those who earn less than 24,000 euros a year (gross).

The scrapping of the IRPF tax deduction, which could be applied by all taxpayers to their main home (not second or holiday homes) is part of a new series of measures to cut costs to face recession.

Meanwhile, a reduction in company tax (of around five percentage points) is expected to help businesses.

Article taken from 'Costa News'

Zapatero shows the way for new and strong recovery plan

Reaccions to the debate on the state of the nation
Discuss in forum

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen today praised Spanish Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for his fresh investments in jobs, education and training and a sustainable economy.

Rasmussen said “Zapatero is showing the way for Europe. This is the kind of smart and forward-looking investment that should be made right across Europe if we are to avoid 27 million unemployed next year in the European Union.”

“The PES has been calling for a new and strong recovery plan for Europe, and Zapatero is doing it in Spain.”

Rasmussen added “I cannot believe that Aznar is blaming the crisis on excessive public spending. It is absolutely ridiculous.”

Regional president charged

Camps charged

Friday, 15 May 2009

News Staff Reporter
VALENCIAN regional president Francisco Camps and PP regional secretary Ricardo Costa have been summoned by the Valencian Supreme Court (TSJCV) to deliver statements as accused parties in the Gürtel case.

The Gürtel scandal involves several top PP members in Madrid and Valencia.

Sr Camps and Sr Costa have repeatedly proclaimed their innocence regarding the scandal led by Francisco Correa and event promotion companies such as Orange Market, represented in Valencia by Alvaro Pérez ‘El Bigotes'.

Accusations against the region president include expensive tailor-made suits paid for by Orange Market and affiliate companies.

Both will have to stand before the court on Tuesday, May 19.

Article taken from Costa News

Protecting Democracy

14/05/2009 - Euro MP's intelligence jibe at Balkans sparks outrage.
A Danish Euro MP today provoked outrage over a claim that people from the Balkans are less intelligent than Northern Europeans and should not be allowed to influence EU decisions.

The remarks by Mogens Camre, deputy leader of the Europe of the Nations group in the European Parliament, are published by France 24 on: http://europeanelections2009.rfi.fr/content/20090512-balkan-people-less-intelligent-Bulgaria-Romania-Europe-Denmark

Socialist Group vice-president Hannes Swoboda said today: "This is an unbelievable statement, which is against the principles of democracy.

"The next step is that only voters from right wing parties should decide because they are more clever than the rest. This was an attitude which led to fascist and Nazi positions.

"Such a division of Europe into good nations and bad nations is totally unacceptable."

MEPs question the European Commission and Council

The last set of written questions to the Commission from PSE Group MEPs range from a question on swine flu to litter in the North Sea.

MEPs question the Commission and Council. European parliament rules make provision for MEPs to submit written questions to the European commission and to the Council. This can be an opportunity for MEPs to take up issues of local concern that have been raised by their constituents or to follow-up on the implementation of European laws.

Whilst Spanish MEP Antolin Sanchez Presedo is concerned that milk producers in Galicia are suffering from apparent unfair competition on the milk market, German MEP Barbara Weiler wants to know whether there are plans to cut the funding to town twinning projects. Vice-president Harmen Desir of France is asking the Commission to step up action on press freedom and human rights in Tunisia.

Written questions to the Commission from PSE Group MEPs - May 2009

European activists residing in Spain collaborate with PES

The Bologna Process, youth mobility, internet rights… another stop for the PES Virtual Tour!

On the evening of Friday, 8 May, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen logged onto Skype for the next stop on the ‘Virtual Tour', this time spending 30 minutes talking with some 25 activists from the Balearic Islands city group gathered on the other side of the screen.

The meeting was moderated by local Spanish MEP Teresa Riera. Among many topics discussed were: the importance of the participation of young people in the coming election; the Bologna Process and mobility of young people; internet access as fundamental right of citizenship in the twenty-first century, and much more...

SPECIAL REPORT FROM BARCELONA, PSC (PSC-PSOE) activists: “Citizens’ rights in a safe Europe”

PSC (PSC-PSOE) activists took part in PES second DOA "A New Social Europe-giving people a fairer deal" Socialist Catalan Party (PSC-PSOE, Spain) has participated in PES Day of Action, “A New Social Europe- giving people a fairer deal”, on May 7th, celebrating a seminar titled “Citizens’ rights in a safe Europe” in Barcelona.

According to the exchange of opinions between the speakers and the audience, current crisis should be dealt with the thought MORE EUROPE AND MORE SOCIAL POLICIES, investing in solidarity and in people welfare and strengthening European values, which are progressive values. By returning to social Europe, by putting people first we can recover Europeism and pride of European citizenship. Otherwise, if right majority is renewed, Europe will walk straightforward to closeness, intolerance, lack of solidarity and loss of social rights.

PSOE invites you to a campaign exchange in Madrid

PSOE is inviting comrades from other European countries to join their campaign on the weekend of May 30. On May 30 you can participate in the meeting of PES activits (Spanish and from abroad) with Juan Fernando López Aguilar the head of the Spanish list to the European Parliament.

The meeting will be in Spanish, so Spanish skills are helpful. The place will be PSOE headquarters (Ferraz 70, Madrid).

PES activists who are interested in coming to Madrid, the PSOE can provide you with an accommodation at Fundación Jaime Vera. You can either stay there from 29 to 30 or from 30 to 31 or even both nights. Fundación Jaime Vera will provide meals to those who don't want to have their own lunch or dinner at the city center. However the Fundación Jaime Vera is not at the center of Madrid. There's a lot of public transport to get to the center of the city and PSOE will organise a bus from the Foundation to the center for the day of the event.

Thanks to SMEPs like Spanish A. Cercas, Europeans do not work 65 hours

Working time: " We have averted serious damage to the social Europe."

Socialist MEPs have slated the failure of negotiations between the European Parliament and EU Council of Ministers on statutory working hours, but believe that no agreement was better than a bad one.

Socialists are demanding an end to the individual opt-outs from the statutory 48-hour working week that pose a danger to health and safety, make it difficult to reconcile family and working lives, and promote social dumping.

"The compromise proposed by the Europrean Commission would have made the current situation even worse," explained Alejandro Cercas – who took part in the negotiations with the Council in his role as European Parliament rapporteur – to the press on Tuesday.

"We would have lost hope along with our dignity if we had accepted such a compromise," added the Spanish MEP.

"In these times of economic and social crisis, it is vitally important to maintain workers’ trust in both Europe and the European Parliament," insisted Mr Cercas.

We need more Socialist Euro MPs to Defend your Rights

06/05/2009 - Outrage as right-wingers block extension of maternity leave. Socialist Euro MPs today denounced the right wing of the European Parliament as "archaic" after it blocked an EU law to extend maternity leave across Europe.

06/05/2009 - “Banks must behave responsibly in the financial markets,” say Socialists.



In Strasbourg on Wednesday Socialist MEPs voted to tighten European monitoring rules for the banking sector in order to avoid further future spectacular collapses like Lehman Brothers.

05/05/2009 - Socialist victory keeps 'A-G' energy labels on household products.
Keeping the "A-G' labels on energy-related household products such as fridges - combined with regular reviews - was a socialist victory in the European Parliament today.



30/04/2009 - Europe’s globalisation fund: helping victims of the economic crisis.
From 1 May, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, which has an annual budget worth 500 million euro, can be used to help people who have lost their jobs in the wake of the economic and financial recession.


24/04/2009 - For a Europe of Social Progress.
The current global recession, caused by a catastrophic failure of our financial institutions, is a wake-up call to European politicians. There must be a re-balancing of priorities, to put Europe's social purpose back at the heart of the European political agenda.