What do the parties in Bavaria say on Europe?

The Free Voters want an EU of citizens and regions and reject a centralist direction. Brussels would get new powers only where strictly necessary; some would be handed back, and the platform rejects EU taxes and joint liability for debt.

The Free Voters want a Europe with strong regions. The EU should get as few new tasks as possible. Some tasks should go back to the countries. There should be no EU taxes. Each country should be liable for its own debts.

The Greens commit to an EU that is able to act and want to strengthen European democracy through transnational electoral lists and more direct participation. EU funding should consistently serve socially fair climate and environmental protection, and the single market should be strengthened without national or regional go-it-alone approaches.

The Greens want a strong European Union. European elections should have lists that cross country borders. EU money should mainly help the climate and the environment. In the shared market, the same rules should apply to everyone.

The Greens want every young person in school, vocational training or college to be able to take part in an exchange. More money for the Stiftung Jugendaustausch Bayern (Bavarian youth exchange foundation) and 1,000 Interrail passes raffled each year are meant to help, so young people can get to know Europe regardless of their parents' income.

Young people should get to know Europe. Everyone should be able to do an exchange in another country. Each year Bavaria gives away 1,000 free train passes for Europe. Schools near the border should offer Czech classes.

The SPD supports the EU membership bids of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkan states and commits to European integration. Governments that violate the EU's values should face effective sanctions. The party recognizes conscientious objection to military service as grounds for seeking refuge.

The SPD wants Ukraine to be able to join the EU. The same goes for Moldova and the Western Balkan countries. Governments that act against EU values should be punished. People who refuse military service and are persecuted for it should get protection.

The SPD wants to permit fixed border checks toward neighboring countries only in short-term emergencies and to expand cooperation with the Czech Republic and Austria. Plans include closer cooperation between police forces and emergency services, a Bavarian-Czech regional council and a shared labor market in the border regions. The free movement of people and goods within the EU should not be restricted.

The SPD wants fixed checks at Bavaria's borders only in real emergencies. Bavaria should work more closely with the Czech Republic and Austria. Fire crews and ambulances should be allowed to help across the border. People should find it easier to work in the neighboring country.

The SPD wants the EU to become a fiscal and social union with a common fiscal policy and its own budget. The unanimity rule would be dropped for tax matters and largely abolished in the Council. The European Parliament would get its own right of initiative, and EU funds would be fully tied to the rule of law.

The SPD wants the EU to decide more things together. The EU should get its own budget for a shared financial policy. It should no longer take every country's yes to pass something. The EU Parliament should be able to propose laws itself. EU money should go only to countries that respect the rule of law.