Progressive leaders commit to reinforcing cooperation, strengthening autonomy, and protecting EU values in the face of challenges on both sides of the Atlantic
The Party of European Socialists welcomed high-level figures this morning in Brussels, Belgium, for a strategic discussion ahead of today’s Informal EU leaders’ retreat. The PES leaders also endorsed the declaration adopted by the presidency last week to defend European Democracy from foreign interference through social media. The PES leadership expressed unity in response to US President Donald Trump’s threats of trade tariffs, international law and global agreements as well as the challenges posed by the far-right in Europe. The PES continues to seek a constructive transatlantic relationship.
PES President Stefan Löfven said:
‘‘We are living in turbulent times, where uncertainty plagues our politics, and international stability continues to teeter.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine remains the main threat to global security. We must maintain our unwavering support to Ukraine, for the sake of democracy and peace.
The global balance risks being compromised further by the actions and threats of the new Donald Trump administration. We stand firmly behind Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as well as Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute B. Egede and echo their response to US President Trump that ‘Greenland is not for sale.
We need to face the current challenges together, as a European Union, stronger than ever, and as progressives, amplifying our messages for social justice, fair societies, workers’ rights, human rights, so we can gain back citizens’ trust.As Europeans we must step up our approach to security. This means investing in a strong European defence industry. But as progressives, security is also about guaranteeing social security, housing security, healthcare, and a healthy environment for every citizen.’’
Commenting on recent global developments, Giacomo Filibeck said:
‘‘As Europeans, we strongly believe that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the peace project is sustained, at EU level but also on the international stage. We have a duty to ensure that our elections are free from foreign interference, be it from Russia, from China or from any social media oligarchs who are supporting the dissemination of disinformation from the far-right on social media.’’
During the meeting, S&D Group President Iratxe García expressed the commitment of the S&D group to work together with pro-European forces to uphold the stability of European institutions. She criticised the EPP for being increasingly ready to work with the far-right.
Similarly, the PES reiterated its condemnation of the shameful decision of CDU leader Friedrich Merz to break the firewall by voting on radical migration legislation with the far-right party AfD in the Bundestag last week.
PES President Stefan Löfven welcomed to the meeting progressive members of the European Commission: Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef.
PES leaders welcomed the next president of the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions (COR) Luca Menesini and the next PES candidate for President of the COR – Kata Tüttő.
PES leaders expressed their support for the mass student protests which have been taking place in Serbia against corruption which saw Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević resign earlier last week. The PES stands with the Serbian students protesting for the rule of law and the stand against corruption.
Photos from the meeting can be found here
