SPD on Europe

The SPD wants to work for an EU that creates common rules for work, taxes and basic social security. Minimum social standards are to be secured and wage and social dumping stopped. The EU is also to protect democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

The SPD wants a social Europe. There should be shared rules for work and taxes. Nobody should have to work for dumping wages. Europe should protect democracy and human rights. This also applies at the EU's outer borders.

In the Committee of the Regions, the body representing regions at the EU, the SPD wants to promote a strong, sustainable and social Europe. Europe should be close to citizens, and it should become visible where the EU has an effect in Thuringia. Basic social rights are to be strengthened for everyone in Europe. Human rights are to be upheld both against attacks from within and at the EU's external borders. The platform argues that many challenges cannot be solved at the national level.

The SPD wants to deepen European cooperation in education, research, the labor market and culture. Barriers to working across borders are to come down, and vocational qualifications are to be recognized faster. Apprentices should also be able to take part in Erasmus+ more often.

The SPD wants more exchange in Europe. People should find it easier to work in other countries. Job qualifications should be recognized faster. Apprentices should also be able to go abroad. The state should support partnerships between towns more.

The SPD wants to work toward more shared educational degrees. Thuringia is to invest in cross-border research and give its research policy an international focus. European town partnerships are to get more support, and new ideas for international work at the local level are to be developed. European education work in schools and other institutions is to grow. Erasmus+ is the EU's exchange program for education and training.