Socialists examine new party charter
A truce with ‘market economics’ and references to ‘revolution’ scrapped as party debates what it means to be socialist.
The Socialist Party is to debate a 21-point charter defining a new set of principles at a conference in June.
Among the changes to the document – which is set to replace a 1990 text – include scrapping references to a Socialist ‘revolution’ and new support for ‘socially and environmentally responsible’ market forces.
The party’s national secretary for studies Alain Bergounioux said: "The Socialist Party is launching a new period of its existence,
"It was necessary for us to define what socialism means for us.”
The first principle of the document states: "To be a socialist means that one is not complacent with the world as it is.”
While the party made large gains during March’s municipal elections, it has suffered from a lack of leadership since the defeat of presidential candidate Ségolène Royal last year.
The party will discuss the charter in June, ahead of a leadership election in November. Among those likely to win the role are Royal and Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë – although neither have officially announced their intention to run.
Other principles in the charter state: "The goal of socialist action is the complete emancipation of the human being and the safeguard of the planet."
“Socialists support a market economy that is socially and environmentally responsible, a market economy that is regulated by public authority and through labour and management groups," it added.
