Europeans go to the polls between 6-9 June 2024, to elect a new Parliament. The composition of the European Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping policies that impact not only the European Union but also its global partners. Trade policies, in particular, have a huge bearing on Europe’s relationships with the rest of the world, and will also determine Europe’s role in pushing back against global environmental disaster. Trade policy also happens to be one of the few policies where the European Union has exclusive competences, which means they don’t need to go back to national parliaments to make decisions.
A European Parliament with a majority of social democratic, right and extreme right MEPs could lead to the quick adoption of unjust Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) without thorough scrutiny. Now is not the time for timid positions, Europeans need to vote for MEPs who are capable of taking clear stances against exploitative trade policies. If they want a trade policy that delivers decent jobs, guarantees food sovereignty, protects the environment, and does not constrain the rights of governments to regulate in the public interest, they need to be mindful of how they cast their votes. Parliamentarians need to know that an abstention will not be sufficient if an exploitative trade agreement is under consideration. European representatives who seek justice, equity and fairness will need to actively push back against FTAs.