Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, also took to the stage, stating, “The left is strong when it speaks to the people, not when it is folding back on itself. If we fail in France the government will go to the right of Le Pen, then Europe is at risk.” Emphasising the united front of the PES & the S&D Group in the European Parliament, Matteo Renzi said “Together with the Socialists and Democrats we are fighting for a better Europe!”
Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon, the dynamic new leader of PSOE in Spain, also joined the event, and emphasised the generational challenges faced by Europe: “We don’t want to be the generation that lost the fight against climate change. We want to be the generation starting the fight for true change!” Diederik Samsom, leader of the Dutch PvdA also emphasised the need for sustainability, “which requires investments in education, in innovation, and in the future of our children. Europe must become a project of hope and prosperity again. Hope for all Europeans”.
The new High Representative of the EU for Foreign & Security Policy and Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini was also in attendance.