"The right prefers to adapt to the market, but we want to shape our own future," said the Parti Socialiste (PS) leader, outlining her party's approach to upcoming elections to the European Parliament in June.
Aubry, the daughter of former European Commission president Jacques Delors, told the media that the PS manifesto - entitled "Citizens first" and set to be unveiled "within the next few weeks" - would espouse the values of "philosophy of the will (volontarisme)" and "humanism".
Last November, Aubry beat rivals Benoît Hamon, leader of the party's left wing faction, and former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal to secure the party leadership and succeed former chief François Hollande (EurActiv 19/11/08).
Regulate financial markets…
Aubry outlined her party's belief that efforts to boost the real economy should take precedence over support for the financial sector. Regulating financial markets and bringing an end to tax havens should be at the forefront of efforts to address the ongoing economic crisis in Europe, she insisted.
…and lead the world on climate
Moreover, "Europe must become a world leader in fighting climate change," said Aubry. She criticised French President Nicolas Sarkozy for "continuing to press ahead" with his own policies without consulting France's European partners.
Aubry said the Parti Socialiste's electoral strategy is designed to complement the manifesto of its pan-European sister party, the Party of European Socialists (PES), launched in Madrid last December (EurActiv 03/12/08).
Asked whether she would support a bid by PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, a former Danish prime minister, for the presidency of the European Commission, the PS leader replied: "Europe must be embodied by a leader. And Rasmussen made the PES manifesto a reality."
The PS will mull potential candidates for the European elections at its national congress on 28 February, with the definitive list set to be announced on 14 March.
