The European Free Alliance (EFA) is a political party that advocates for self-determination, representing 41 parties from stateless nations, regions, and minority groups in Europe. It emphasizes human, civil, and political rights, subsidiarity, cultural and linguistic diversity, and seeks to protect these from erosion.
The EFA is committed to reshaping the European Union (EU) to reflect its true diversity and enhance the voice of all its constituents, especially in light of the upcoming turbulent five years marked by significant challenges.
EFA proposes significant reforms aimed at democratizing the European Union's legislative process. A pivotal element of this initiative is granting the European Parliament the power to initiate legislation, which currently rests solely with the European Commission.
This change is seen as crucial for making EU governance more responsive and representative of the diverse European populace, ensuring that the legislative process reflects the varied regional needs across Europe.
The manifesto strongly emphasizes the need for greater decentralization within the EU and advocates for recognizing the right to self-determination as fundamental. EFA supports the aspirations of regions and minority groups seeking greater autonomy or independence.
They promote peaceful and democratic means to achieve these ends, arguing that such measures are essential for true democracy and regional empowerment.
In response to scandals such as Qatargate, EFA calls for heightened transparency and a strict zero-tolerance approach to corruption within European institutions. They advocate for robust oversight mechanisms that include rigorous surveillance regulations, ensuring that all surveillance activities within EU democracies are justified, subject to judicial oversight, and fully compliant with fundamental rights.
EFA champions the expansion of linguistic rights within the European Parliament and other EU institutions. They propose recognizing a broader array of languages, reflecting the rich linguistic diversity of the continent.
Additionally, the manifesto suggests establishing a European Ombudsman for Minority Rights to monitor and enforce compliance with regional and minority language charters and conventions, safeguarding cultural and linguistic diversity.
While supporting the EU's Green Deal, EFA criticizes its centralized approach and advocates for a transition plan that is equitable and considers the varied impacts on different regions and sectors. They emphasize the importance of community involvement in environmental decision-making and advocate for policies that support sustainable practices informed by local knowledge, particularly benefiting SMEs and rural communities.
EFA envisions the EU as an active global player that not only supports but actively promotes the rights of minorities and democratic governance worldwide. The manifesto highlights the EU's role in mediating international conflicts and supporting democratic processes in regions like Palestine, Western Sahara, and areas affected by the Ukraine conflict, stressing the importance of EU involvement in global peace and self-determination efforts.
The manifesto calls for more decentralized economic decision-making, allowing regions to tailor investment strategies to their specific needs and strengths. EFA advocates for a fairer distribution of EU funds that respects regional diversity and supports local economic development.
This includes enhancing local industries, creating jobs in peripheral areas, and ensuring that economic policies are sensitive to the unique challenges and opportunities of different EU regions. These detailed paragraphs with subtitles provide a comprehensive view of the EFA's objectives and policy proposals for the 2024 European elections, showcasing their commitment to transforming the EU into a more democratic, inclusive, and responsive union.
The European Free Alliance is also known as Efa.