Photo received from the Cabinet of Van Brempt
“People at number one” is the slogan of sp.a, the Flemish socialist party. Kathleen Van Brempt is their candidate heading the European list. At the moment Van Brempt is the Flemish minister of Mobility, Social Economics and Equal Opportunities. Seeing that the regional elections (Flemish and Wallonian) are colliding with the European elections in June, she is free to take up her seat in the European Parliament when elected. The Wallonian sister party of sp.a is PS of which Jean-Claude Marcourt is the primal candidate for Europe. Although they belong to the same political family in Belgian and in Europe they do not have the same slogan for their European campaign. The PS is campaigning with the slogan ‘Because it’s time to change Europe.’ This is a bit strange for two parties who claim that they stand strong thanks to the unity within the Party of European Socialist (PES), while you can already notice the lack of unity between the socialist parties in Belgian by this small example. Campaigning together might be a big step, but you would at least expect that they would use the same slogan. Without further delay, I introduce to you Kathleen Van Brempt.
Bio
Age: 39
Studies: a degree in sociology (more specific in labour sociology)
Former parties: Only sp.a
What are the most important reasons why people must vote for you?
Van Brempt: “Because I’m not going for the Europe of institutions but a Europe of solutions. I can follow through on that statement because I will be taking my place in a strong and coherent fraction. The manifesto of the Party of European Socialist (PES) is carried by all members. Moreover, the PES already has a combat plan. We want to tackle the crisis through the creation of sustainable jobs. We will present this plan to the new president of the Commission with the demand that it should be implemented within the first 100 days of his or hers legislative period.”
Is this your first time Europe?
Van Brempt: “I was seated in the European Parliament from 1993 until 2003.”
Is your programme for the regional elections very different from that for the European elections?
Van Brempt: “Both programmes are complementary. Europe has to set the stage and give support to the member states while these states need to make sure that they give certainty and security to their inhabitants.”
Is the possible entry of Turkey high on your party’s topic list?
Van Brempt: “The possible accession of Turkey is not the stake/inset of these elections. The decision that Turkey is a candidate for entry into the European Union has already been made. Negotiations on the terms for entry are currently still in progress. We believe that Turkey could become a full member of the Union if they uphold to all criteria and if negotiations are successfully completed.”
What are your 3 main goals as a Member of Parliament?
Van Brempt: “1. To help Europe making the transition to sustainable energy. For example: I want Europe to set its shoulder under the project of the North Sea Circle.
2. To put the fight against child poverty on the top of the European agenda.
3. To make and end to the blind liberalisation urge of the EU.”
If you could change one thing about the working of the European Union or European Parliament what would that be?
Van Brempt: “A larger focus on social matters”
Which principle of the European Union or European Parliament can’t ever be touched?
Van Brempt: “the European solidarity”
Do you think the Belgian people underestimate the importance of Europe and its Parliament?
Van Brempt: “Yes, the lack of media coverage leads to a poor knowledge of Europe and creates the image that Europe is a far-away-from-my-bed show (=that it doesn’t concerns them). Truth be told I must admit that the politicians are also partly to blame. A lot of our rules are conversions of European rules. If it is good news, politicians are happy to pat themselves on the back, but when unpopular laws are passed the politicians lay it at the door of Europe whether it is true or not. Further more a lot of people think that Europe and its Parliament are nothing more than an ennobled talking shed. And that is just not true. The Parliament has received a lot of power over the past fifteen years. It has had a say in most of the legislation issued by Europe.”
If you could chose – regardless of the outcome of the elections – who gets to take the place of Barroso as President of the European Commission. Who would it be and why?
Van Brempt: “For us it doesn’t matter who it is so long it is the right person for the job. Europe needs an ambitious visionary who can deliver results. We need to find a second Delors.”
(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)
Loading ...
