In Belval on Saturday, the party unveiled its program for the European elections.
"Europe must deliver" is the resounding message from Fokus. It's a slogan that underscores a sense of urgency: "We face a multitude of challenges, from conflicts and climate change to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," emphasises Marc Ruppert, the party president of Fokus. The newly elected members of the European Parliament have a crucial role in addressing these pressing issues.
Fokus aims to bring forth innovative and bold ideas to tackle these challenges head-on. As a party, they are not pressed with the traditional reflexes of those in power, such as maintaining unanimity in tax matters. Co-lead candidate Frank Engel states their commitment to not creating problems where none exist. While migration remains an important issue to address, Fokus believes it's not an insurmountable challenge. "Our current problems include the war in Ukraine, which is a direct threat to Europe," states Engel. Additionally, there is a pressing need for investment funds to develop essential energy infrastructure.
Investing in energy infrastructure across Europe is crucial for economic redevelopment and, consequently, social progress. However, such a transition comes with its own substantial costs. "We can't continue burdening individuals with the cost of this transition and pulling money out of their pockets; alternative measures like implementing a financial transaction tax need to be considered," emphasises Engel. He also suggests that implementing such a tax, similar to what has been proposed in Switzerland, could provide a means to finance these essential infrastructures.
In matters of trade, Europe finds itself in a position of vulnerability, struggling to assert its interests effectively. To truly advance, the European Union must move beyond the principle of unanimity. "The unanimity principle, which has long hindered progress across various domains, is outdated," remarks Engel.
Fokus also underlines the importance of advocating for equality of opportunity. "A socially just and fair Europe is crucial for cohesion," highlights co-lead candidate Monica Semedo. Therefore, the party puts emphasis on ensuring that vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and immigrants from diverse backgrounds, have equal opportunities to thrive.
In national polls, Fokus is aiming for 2.5 percent of the vote. However, securing a seat in the European Parliament requires garnering over 10 percent. It's a challenging task, but one that they are fully aware of and prepared to tackle.
