User:Ssolbergj/Newropeans

Newropeans is a political party aiming to run for campaigns in the 2009 European Parliament election in all European Union member states simultaneously. It therefore claims to be the first truly pan-European political party. As opposed to other European parties such as the European People's Party or the Party of European Socialists, the Newropeans are not an alliance of pre-existing national political parties.

History
The party was founded by Franck Biancheri in June 2005 when the referendum on the Constitution referendum failed. Biancheri had previously founded the European Students' Forum (AEGEE) in 1985 and a thinktank called Leap2020 in 1998.

Policies
Newropeans calls for increased democratisation of the EU. They want an elected Union government, the ratification of changes to EU treaties by referendum and a unified immigration policy.

Its programme is also in favour of decentralisation and restructuring of the institutions which are mainly concentrated in Brussels, but also spread among Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

The party wants to ground the European Union Budget on a direct tax instead of contributions by the treasuries of member states, and opposes the lifelong judicial immunity granted to EU officials.

According to the official website, the party focuses mainly on reform of the EU system, and has currently little agenda beyond that.

Pre-election activities
Like all newly established political parties, Newropeans works to gain attention, money and members. As stated in their manifesto, Newropeans has to establish itself in all EU members before the election in 2009. A "Democracy Marathon" has been launched in 2007, holding meetings in cities of all the 27 countries.