Governments must ensure that economic forces respect society and put the public first, Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat told a debate between socialist leaders at the European Socialists Party congress in Madrid.

Dr Muscat said it does not make sense to let the market rule with no government involvement and emphasised the need of direct contact with the people despite the ever-growing importance of modern broadcasting media.

The congress approved an electoral manifesto with 60 proposals, including the creation of 10 million jobs by 2020, new financial rules, minimum wages for EU member states and a fight against the trafficking of women and children.

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