EPTS&D is the second largest group in the European Parliament with 195 MEPs. Most members are from the spanish workers party, SDP in Germany, socialist party of Romania, socialist party of France and Labour from UK. The rest are mostly socialist or social democratic members.
On Economic matters they are not particularly against some austerity measures, but want a more gradual stabilisation with a focus on using the extra economic room for stimulating the economy. They are fighting against tax shelters and for a mimimum wage being applied in all EU countries.
On privacy, corruption and human rights issues they are mostly concerned with increasing the fight against corruption and increasing user protection legislation on EU level. S&D are concerned about the issue of terrorism where they require the “measures limiting citizens' liberties must be justified and proportionate”.
On foreign policy, the primary concerns are on strenghtening the cooperation to the east, while pretty reserved towards Russia and their deterioting human rights situation (Not just LGBT!).
Where NGL-LEU are less interested in the issue, S&D are very interested in climate and environment. They want to increase the goal of reduced fossil fuel consumption for energy further, than it is today. On the common agricultural policy they want a fundamental reform from being a subsidy to being a wage paid for economically non-sustainable agriculture with a societal benefit. That includes protecting the environment and biodiversity.
On digital issues the group is relatively flexible. They acknowledge the potential conflict between protecting intellectual property and civil rights. They are not particularly supportive of internet freedom, but still do not support filtering by ISPs of electronic communication (probably a backhand slap at Cameron in UK!).
Stats:
Leader: Hannes Swoboda (Sozialdemocratische Partei Österreichs, Austria)
MEPs: 195
Average participation (voting): 85.4 %
Vote cohesion (since last election): 91,6 %
Most cohesion on (committee topic) : Culture and Education (98,6 %)
Worst cohesion on (committee topic): Agriculture (74,1 %)
Least towing of party line: Swedish Socialdemokraterna
Sources:
http://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/
http://www.votewatch.eu/#tabs-1
