Video from European Parliament Available on thenewsmarket.com: Merkel-Sarkozy Pact Under Fire at European Parliament

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Get content from European Parliament at:

http://www.thenewsmarket.com/Releases/StoryDetailPage.aspx?GUID=ff0fe125-9d13-4f05-a7f6-dd9969e11bb4

Martin Schulz, leader of the European Parliament's main progressive group, the 186-strong Socialists and Democrats, deplored the summit's Franco-German inspired EU competitiveness pact. Behind it, he said, lay reduction of the European Union to deals between governments. "If you look now to the proposals, that's exactly what the liberals and Germans want to see to prolong the life time, the working time, to cut the salaries, to reduce the pensions... All this kind of neo-liberal propaganda. They are not speaking about the increase of salaries. They are not speaking about equal pay all over in Europe. They are not speaking, and that's the big mistake, about investments in sustainable growth. Because, in our eyes, without growth, no jobs and without jobs, on the base on a descent income, no social coherence and stability in Europe." Dismissing the competitiveness pact, Mr. Schulz said that increasing competitiveness is a laudable goal, but which can't be achieved by massive and one-sided social cutbacks. He also denounced the pact's plans to abolish salary-indexation that exists in some EU countries which would create a lop-sided situation socially and deny compensation to the lowest paid people.  

About thenewsmarket.com

thenewsmarket.com delivers free broadcast- and streaming-quality video and multimedia content directly to media around the world, 24/7. More than 25,000 media outlets in 190+ countries use thenewsmarket.com, including the AP, BBC, CNBC, CNN, France 24, N24, nytimes.com, RAI, TVE, ZDF and a lot more.  

Registered journalists can preview and download video, audio, text, graphics and photos at http://www.thenewsmarket.com.

If not already registered, please take a moment to sign up - registration is quick, easy and free: http://www.thenewsmarket.com/registration

We are always happy to receive your feedback, suggestions or enquiries. Email us at [email protected]

Story Id: 21566

SOURCE thenewsmarket.com