The path forward for the European project – that is what is at stake at the hearings for the next European Commission. Our political family will not compromise on our values. We will not accept the betrayal of the agreements that have been made with other pro-European political families to form a pro-European majority. This is our message as the European Commission hearings approach breaking point.
PES President Stefan Löfven said:
“This moment will define the next five years of the European project. Our S&D Group and the whole of our political family have worked in good faith. We have respected the hearings process every step of the way. We have honoured the pro-European majority that formed in July.
“We cannot now accept that the EPP betrays the pro-European majority in favour of an alternative far-right alliance. If the EPP wants that new majority, then it must take responsibility for it. It must understand what we have consistently said: we will not accept the far-right at the table.
“I pay tribute to Iratxe García for everything that she has done to find a workable path forward. As a political family, we have worked responsibly for the good of Europe.”
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“Not only has the leadership of the EPP disregarded the pro-European majority that was agreed in July, but it has also allowed electioneering by the Partido Popular and Vox to distract and distort the hearings. This tells you everything you need to know about how much they respect this process. They are content to hold the European project hostage for domestic political purposes, even when it undermines the stability of the European institutions amid a challenging geopolitical climate.”
The PES stands shoulder to shoulder with the Socialists and Democrats Group (S&D) in the European Parliament – which issued a statement on the hearings earlier today – and its President Iratxe Garcia.
In the past few weeks, the EPP has demonstrated a consistent willingness to break with the pro-European majority, including voting for an AFD amendment on the next EU budget and breaking the deal on deforestation. These actions have undermined President von der Leyen’s political guidelines, and the agreements made in committees after that, and throw into question the EPP’s commitment to honouring key tenets of the pro-European majority. The PES stands firmly for a pro-European future for the Union, including defence of the rule of law, support for democratic values, the fight against climate change, respect for women’s rights, defence of collective bargaining and workers’ rights, the promotion of the social market economy, and support of Ukraine.
In September, the PES and S&D Group issued a warning over the next Commission mandate.
In July 2024, the S&D voted for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the basis of a pro-European, democratic majority.
