Speaking today in the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg as newly-elected president of the S&D Group, Gianni Pittella backed Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi's call for a change of policy based on solidarity in Europe.
 
Gianni Pittella, S&D Group president, said:
 
"There is no freedom if we are not free of need. Instead of looking exclusively at numbers we have to look at humanity and what the Stability and Growth Pact means for real people's lives. We may have stability, but we do not have growth. We must take action to foster growth – while respecting the EU Treaties – and we must use all the flexibility available in the pact and get people back to work.

"Europe must have the courage to reinvent itself in the light of the crisis. We must give people, and especially young people, a dream – and the belief that their future will be a better one. The basis for our actions must be solidarity.

"We have seen too many migration tragedies, with some countries affected more severely than others. We have to take action to prevent more tragedies and we have to act now. We need a real European asylum and immigration policy based on solidarity with countries abroad, managing the migration flow problems at home and support for those European governments facing the strongest pressures from migration."
 
He concluded by focusing on the Italian Presidency:
 
"Our Group fully supports Italian Prime Minister Renzi's call for a new start for Europe, based on passion and vision but also on ambitious action. We must be courageous and we need real political leadership to rebuild Europe so future generations can lead better lives."

S&D press contact