R1: Freedom to Live Better: Building a Green and Social Europe

A warm home in a safe community.

A diverse society where everyone’s rights are respected.

An EU united for international law and global coalitions on climate, health and nature.

A leader in the green transition – pursuing ambitious targets in line with the Paris agreement

An advanced, competitive society that proves that social justice , green transition and competitiveness can go hand in hand

An EU united for international law and global coalitions on climate, health and nature.

A caring society that finds solutions to everyday problems.

This is where the EU can and should be going.

Yet when people wake up, they see a world out of control. One day, President Trump imposes tariffs on long-standing allies. The next, wildfires rip through homes, andwhile disinformation - now one of the most serious threats to European democracy, social trust and security - spreads rapidly and poisons politics.

Yet when people wake up, they see a world out of control. One day, President Trump imposes tariffs on long-standing allies. The next, wildfires rip through homes, and disinformation poisons politics.

This stream of crises is not random. It is the most serious ideological challenge the EU has faced. The MAGA White House, Europe’s far-right radicals, an ever more aggressive China, and Putin’s blood-soaked regime share an agenda: to undermine everything the European project stands for.

This stream of crises is not random. It is the most serious ideological challenge the EU has faced. The MAGA White House, Europe’s far-right radicals, and Putin’s blood-soaked regime share an agenda: to undermine everything the European project stands for. Our own divisions and the fragmentation of our common market leave our businesses more and more behind in the race for future sustainable industries and businesses.

The EU is a political community built on human dignity, freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Globally, it stands up to the Big Tech and fossil fuel lobbies. This is why today it is under attack.

This attack started on the extremes but is taking hold of the political forces leading the EU:

Key elements of the new green deal are under attack – including the ETS 2 start-up, key regulation within ESG and CBAM,
The acceptance of far right pressure and autocratic leaders threaten social rights and democratic principles
The EU caves in to direct political pressure by the US, thus undermining international treaties like the failed IMO agreement, as well as EU regulation protecting climate and nature.

This attack started on the extremes but is taking hold of the political forces leading the EU:

Currently, however, authoritarian forces are taking hold of the EU:

We face a critical choice. Pursue the far-right’s destructive, anti-European agenda or fight for a free Europe. A free and united Europe must also recognise that defending itself requires strengthening security and resilience across the Union. Security and defence are shared responsibilities of all citizens and all Member States.

What does a free Europe mean? A Europe that focuses on real and fair solutions to the shared problems making our lives insecure. A Europe that invests together in a competitive green economy. Because we are strongest when we stand in solidarity, as in the pandemic and the energy crisis.

What does a free Europe mean? A Europe that focuses on real and fair solutions to the shared problems making our lives insecure. Because we are strongest when we stand in solidarity, as in the pandemic and the energy crisis.What does a free Europe mean? For us, it means a Europe that focuses on real and fair solutions to shared problems. We are strongest when we stand in solidarity.

It means freedom from expensive imported energy and unaffordable rents. It means freedom from distorted elections and hybrid threats. Most simply, it means the freedom to live in a community where everyone looks out for each other.

Europe’s freedom and safety also depend on strong transatlantic cooperation. A free EU must deepen its collaboration with NATO, the United Kingdom and regional defence formats such as JEF to strengthen collective and human security. At the same time, Europe must build its own preparedness by developing a resilient defence industry and secure supply chains capable of withstanding long-term threats.

It means freedom from expensive imported and unsustainable energy and unaffordable rents. It means freedom from distorted elections and hybrid threats. Most simplyimportantly, it means the freedom to live in a community where everyone looks out for each other.

We call on all pro-European forces to work together and take responsibility. We need investment to reduce the cost of living and protect our climate. We need to safeguard shrinking democratic space and act with unity in an insecure world.

We recognise that regional cooperation, especially between Nordic, Baltic and other EU border states, is crucial to strengthening Europe’s resilience. The EU’s external borders with Russia and Belarus must be protected and reinforced to ensure the Union’s collective security. Ending Russia’s aggression is essential for ensuring a peaceful, democratic and green Europe in the long term.

We need to make the European Green Deal the basis for our future shared prosperity, not roll back our environmental and social commitments. We are committed to keeping our European industry in Europe and supporting it through the green transition. We also call for strengthening the ‘Buy European’ approach to increase our strategic autonomy and secure shorter, more sustainable supply chains.”

We need to make the European Green Deal the basis for our future shared prosperity, not roll back our environmental and social commitments. We need a Europe united to defend itself against military and hybrid theats as well as a force for peace with civil means.