Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams partij (CD&V)
The Flemish CD&V is a member of the European People Party – European Democrats (EPP-ED) group in the European Parliament. The CD&V programme on Europe for the up coming elections features five priorities:
- The creation of a new economic drive towards a competitive environment for business and employment.
- A Union with a strong social dimension. The CD&V advocates for the creation of a European standard for social protection as well as a pan-European healthcare system. Finally, they want to make leaders aware of the fight against poverty and the lack of equality between men and women.
- A powerful Community approach on organised crime and terrorism. Thus a deepening of the competences of Europol and Eurojust. The CD&V wants better collaboration between member states’ services, the creation of a European prosecutor and harmonisation of criminal law with new investigation possibilities such as infiltration techniques, telephone surveillance, and witness protection.
- A European administration for immigration and asylum. Asylum policy must be dealt with at the European level and illegal immigration must be fought. The CD&V fights for a society wide debate on the desirability of a European quota on economic immigration.
Finally, The CD&V stands for a strong EU able to hold its own on the international arena. In order to achieve this there should be more competences and decision-making on foreign policy, a European Minister for Foreign Affairs, an EU seat in international organisations, the creation of a European Peace Institute and the development of a credible European defence capacity.