Members of the PES Statutory and Election Committee today validated the candidacy of former Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, to become the next President of the Party of European Socialists (PES).
The 33 full member parties of the PES were eligible to nominate a candidate to the Committee. The nominating period was open from 15 July until 15 September.
To be nominated, a candidate was required to submit a letter of interest to the Committee, along with a letter of support from a nominating full member party of the PES.
The current president of the Party of the European Socialists Sergei Stanishev announced in advance that he would not seek re-election, despite the strong presence achieved by social democrats in the European Council, in the European Commission and overall, in the EU agenda.
PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“There are two conditions for someone to run for such an important position – the personal reputation of the candidate, and the political reputation of the party making the nomination. I would not run with a nomination from a party other than my own BSP.”
According to Stanishev, social democracy is on the rise in Europe, but unfortunately his own Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has declined in the last few national elections.
On the candidacy of Stefan Löfven, Stanishev said:
“Stefan was the force behind the Gothenburg Social Summit which proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights: the landmark step forward for a Social Europe. I know he will bring this same leadership and vision to the historic challenges Europe faces today.”
PES Secretary General Achim Post said:
“Sergei’s commitment to social democracy is unparalleled, and we thank him for his dedication and service over the last eleven years as president of the PES. His success was his ability to strengthen the social democratic family so much that social democratic ideas now dominate the EU agenda.
“Stefan was prime minister of the nation that symbolises the success of the welfare state, and he is the right person to lead the PES efforts towards a fairer Union for all citizens.”
The candidacy of Stefan Löfven to become PES President will now be presented to the PES Congress – the highest decision-making body of the PES – which will take place in Berlin on 14 and 15 October. Congress delegates elect the President.
