The members of the Party of European Socialists (PES) are preparing at their own pace for the European elections in May 2019. At this stage, two member parties have already published their lists: the German SPD and the Dutch PvdA.
The recent reform of EU electoral law provides for a deadline that expires "no later than three weeks before the elections", which gives parties until the end of April to publish their lists.
The top two candidates on the SPD list (doppelspitze) are Udo Bullmann and Katarina Barley. As for the Dutch PvdA, it is expected to confirm the order of candidates on its list on 19 January, with the European family's spitzenkandidat Frans Timmermans, and Agnes Jongerius, occupying the top two positions. The French have not yet published a list, but we do know that MEPs Édouard Martin and Pervenche Berès will not be running again.
It should be noted that the leaders and activists of the Party of European Socialists will meet on 23 February in Madrid (Spain) to agree on the priorities they will defend during the European elections. The election manifesto for a “Fair, Free and Sustainable Europe" (PES slogan) will be based on the eight resolutions adopted at the Lisbon Congress (see EUROPE 12155). (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)