Their discussions focused on the ETUC priorities for the elections and on the PES election manifesto. The main issues on the agenda were the key priorities that will form the backbone of the campaign: inequality, wage levels, and the fight against populism.
PES president Sergei Stanishev said:
“The PES has always had a close working relationship with the ETUC and its member trade unions. Our organisations share a determination to bring about social, economic and tax convergence, and to ensure the wellbeing of EU citizens.
“Now we are working even more closely with them to build an alliance of progressive forces for next year’s European elections, to gather positive forces and meet the expectations of citizens to tackle inequality and renew the European project.”
During the meeting, both leaders agreed that the European Commission and the European Council must fulfil its promises to enforce the pillar of social rights before the 2019 elections, according to the social action plan already laid out by the PES.
The PES will lay out its specific policy proposals in a series of resolutions at our 2018 Congress in December. The drafts are being prepared through consultation with trade unions, NGOs and civil society organisations, as well as PES member parties and activists.
