Heads of government, European Commissioners, party leaders and other high-level figures from the Party of European Socialists (PES) met in Brussels, Belgium, this morning to coordinate ahead of the European Council later today.
PES President Stefan Löfven hosted the meeting, with the participation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, and Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin.
Alongside progressive heads of government, also present were NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, S&D Group President Iratxe Garcia, EU High Representative Josep Borrell, European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioners Ylva Johansson, Paolo Gentiloni, Elisa Ferreira, Nicolas Schmit and Helena Dalli, SPD Germany co-leader Lars Klingbeil, SAP Sweden leader Magdalena Andersson, PS Belgium leader Paul Magnette, Vooruit Belgium leader Conner Rousseau, PvdA Netherlands leader Attje Kuiken, and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis. Attending for the first time following her election, PES heads of government, European Commissioners and party leaders warmly welcomed PD Italy leader Elly Schlein to the meeting.
From the PES leadership, Treasurer Caroline Gennez, Executive Vice President Katarina Barley, Vice Presidents Victor Negrescu and Kati Piri, Secretary General Achim Post, Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck, and Deputy Secretary General Yonnec Polet were also in attendance.
Addressing the meeting, PES President Stefan Löfven said:
“One year from the elections, Europe is in a very complicated context. The war in Ukraine, the rise to power of the far right, and a sense of uncertainty in the face of the economic and energy crises, these issues are weighing down on citizens.
“In this context, Europe must not be a passive observer. Our political family is actively working for measures that can bring more social cohesion, democracy, and prosperity to the many. These policies can be a source of hope for Europe and its citizens.”
The meeting expressed full solidarity with Ukraine, which continues to come under brutal attack from Russia. The PES urges the EU and its international partners to continue providing humanitarian, financial and military aid to Ukraine. Since the very beginning of the invasion the PES family has stood in full solidarity with Ukraine.
Exchanging with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the meeting discussed action to strengthen Europe’s common security. When a member country of the EU blocks NATO membership for a fellow EU country, this undermines the unity and solidarity of the EU as a whole. Europe must stay united behind a common security agenda, the meeting agreed.
Progressive leaders also exchanged on competitiveness and the EU economy, underlining that the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Green Deal must be the guide for progress.
The meeting also exchanged on reform of the electricity market and the shared progressive goal of securing energy security and energy affordability for all.
Progressive leaders expressed sadness at the tragedies which continue to take place as migrants and asylum seekers attempt to reach Europe. In February, over 70 people – including many children – lost their lives when the boat they were travelling in sank near the port city of Crotone. The meeting urged the EU to urgently complete work on new Pact on Migration and Asylum, spearheaded by European Commissioner Ylva Johansson.
Following a PES mission earlier this month to show solidarity with progressives demonstrating against far-right reforms in Israel, the meeting held an exchange on developments in the country with Jonathan Cummings, International Affairs Advisor to Israeli Labor Party MK Merav Michaeli, and Uri Zaki, Chair of the Executive Board of the Meretz Party. Both the Israeli Labor Party and the Meretz Party are observer members of the PES.
Ahead of the Finnish elections next month, prime ministers, European Commissioners and leaders expressed their support for Prime Minister Sanna Marin and SDP Finland. To secure economic growth, good employment, free quality education and welfare for all, and a strongly pro-EU government in Finland, the meeting expressed hope that Prime Minister Marin and the SDP will secure a strong result.
In the approach to the European elections next year, the meeting also held a strategic exchange on PES priorities for the campaign.
The meeting was attended by:
- PES President Stefan Löfven
- Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz
- Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez
- Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa
- Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen
- Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
- European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans
- High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell
- European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič
- European Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni
- European Commissioner Ylva Johansson
- European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira
- European Commissioner Helena Dalli
- European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit
- S&D Group President Iratxe Garcia
- SPD Germany co-leader Lars Klingbeil
- PD Italy leader Elly Schlein
- PvdA Netherlands leader Attje Kuiken
- PS Belgium leader Paul Magnette
- Vooruit Belgium leader Conner Rousseau
- PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis
- SAP Sweden leader Magdalena Andersson
- Chair of the Executive Board of the Meretz Party Israel, Uri Zaki
- International Affairs Advisor, Israeli Labor Party, Jonathan Cummings
- PES Treasurer Caroline Gennez
- PES Executive Vice President Katarina Barley
- PES Vice President Victor Negrescu
- PES Vice President Kati Piri
- PES Secretary General Achim Post
- PES Executive Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck
- PES Deputy Secretary General Yonnec Polet
