On Saturday 8th of February 3.000 activists of the Party of European Socialists (PES) and of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) gathered at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest to the national Manifestation ‘A Powerful Voice of Romania in Europe – Building a Stronger Europe’.
Mobilise, mobilise, and mobilise
Social Democratic and Socialist Parties are on the rise all over Europe. “This election is about mobilisation. It is not enough to win the polls, we have to win the elections”, said the keynote speaker Marije Laffeber. According to Laffeber, this can only be accomplished by engaging the European citizens directly and personally. “Our #knockthevote campaign is a great example, where thousands of our activists are knocking on doors, together with their Member Parties, to mobilise our voters” Marije continued.
Laffeber especially complimented the PSD for the great acknowledgement for PES activists; “by having the PES activist fully integrated in their party structure, they are a strong voice within the party, within Romania and within Europe”.
Ready for a new Europe
Corina Cretu, the Vice-Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, underlined the importance to fight extremism in the 2014 elections. “The European Union was created as an instrument for overcoming divisions and hatred, for stimulating growth and prosperity all across the continent”, said Cretu.
“The Manifestation today is a strong signal that Romania is ready for a new Europe”, said Victor Negrescu, the national coordinator of PES activists Romania.
Other guests and speakers were PSD leaders such as general secretary Andrei Dolineaschi, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Valeriu Zgonea, MEPs Viorica Dancila and Victor Bostinaru, Deputies Ioan Dirzu, Dorel Caprar, Gabriela Podasca, Senator Liviu Pop, mayor of Botosani (northern Romania) Ovidiu Portariuc and vice-chairman of the Ialomita County Council Stefan Musoiu.