Although the main PES Council does not begin until Friday, hundreds of activists from across the EU and beyond are already gathering today (Thursday) for a training session focusing on campaign strategies for the 2019 European elections.
And the Party of European Socialists’ women’s organisation, PES Women, is also holding its annual conference today, with the title ‘From gaining to owning power’. Conference attendees will discuss the state of gender equality in Europe today, and how notional equality can be converted into genuine political engagement.
At the same time, secretaries general from Europe’s progressive parties are meeting to exchange best practice, with a particular focus on fighting the rise of populism and understanding how to tackle fake news.
Expected in Lisbon in the coming days are prime ministers and party leaders from many different progressive political parties across Europe. A number of high-profile international speakers will also The PES member party Partido Socialista (Socialist Party) from Portugal is co-hosting the event, and Prime Minister António Costa will be one of the main speakers.
PES president Sergei Stanishev said:
“Our focus is on renewal: of our policies, of our political priorities, of our comradeship, and of our determination to improve Europe for the better.
“Our annual Councils are always major events, and this year is no exception. We are especially grateful to Partido Socialista and António Costa for their hospitality. Our progressive family has a lot to learn from the successes of the Portuguese government — which is another reason I’m delighted we are gathered here in Lisbon.”
In addition to the main Council plenary sessions, which will take vital decisions on the process for choosing a common candidate for the 2019 elections as well as policy priorities for the future of the European Union, the busy schedule includes a host of workshops organised by PES and its partners, including MEPs from the Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament and the Foundation of European Progressive Studies (FEPS) think-tank.
- View the full agenda, including plenary, workshop and training sessions, at https://www.pes.eu/en/about-us/the-party/council/lisbon-2017/.
- Watch the PES homepage for regular news and updates throughout the event, including links to a live video feed of the main debates.
For media
- Journalists are welcome to attend throughout the Council, including for the PES Women conference on 30 November. To register your attendance, visit our media registration page at pes.eu/en/news-events/events/council-2017-press-registration. (Registration for delegates and activists is now closed.)
- There will be a press conference with António Costa, prime minister of Portugal, and Sergei Stanishev, president of the PES, on Saturday 2 December at 11:45.
- If you are unable to attend the event and would like to receive daily email updates, subscribe to our media releases and press advisories by completing the form at https://www.pes.eu/en/press.
