We are ready to deliver a more social and just Europe – this was the message yesterday evening as social democratic politicians, representatives and activists met at a reception organised by the Party of European Socialists (PES).
The PES political family gathered in Berlin, Germany ahead of a conference organised by the German Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs at the initiative of Minister and SPD Deputy Leader Hubertus Heil. The aim was to strengthen the focus on social and employment issues. As the EU approaches crucial European elections next year, it must be clear that social rights are at the top of the agenda for the PES family.
In May this year, the PES organised a PES Social Summit on the margins of the Porto Social Forum organised by the Portuguese government. It is highly welcome that the current Spanish and the incoming Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union are paying particular attention to social developments as well.
Addressing the PES event in Berlin, PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“As social democrats, these topics are in our DNA. In Europe, we established the European Pillar of Social Rights as a strong political compass. In Germany, Minister Heil has increased the minimum wage. And working together in PES, we successfully fought for a directive that ensures adequate minimum wages and strong collective bargaining in all EU Member States.
“This reception tonight shows our support for Minister Heil’s Social Europe Conference, and it proves our party family is leading social progress. The PES congress next week will send out a strong signal.”
German Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, and Deputy Leader of SPD, Hubertus Heil said:
“I am convinced that combining technological progress and economic growth with social security, solidarity, freedom, democracy and the rule of law makes us as Europeans stronger – it is a question of sustainable competitiveness.”
PES Executive Vice President, European Parliament Vice President and SPD Spitzenkandidatin Katarina Barley said:
“Good jobs, good wages and the fight against all forms of poverty are at the heart of social democratic policies for a better future and a society that sticks together. That is what we stand for in the 2024 elections. And so it is with gender equality: Equal access to education, economic independence, equal representation in all areas. It is the strong family of PES that has the power to enforce these policies to a more social and just Europe.”
PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck and Minister and SPD Deputy Hubertus Heil welcomed participants to the Willy Brandt Haus for the PES political family reception before the conference. European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Labour of Belgium Pierre-Yves Dermagne, PES Executive Vice President, European Parliament Vice President and SPD Spitzenkandidatin Katarina Barley, and General Secretary of the ETUC Esther Lynch shared their ideas on a more social Europe. It became clear that democracy at work, a fair labour mobility within the EU and stable social security systems are at the core of a progressive EU.
