After being elected President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in October 2022 (see EUROPE 13043/24), Stefan Löfven from Sweden was re-elected on Friday 10 November at the PES Congress in Malaga. He was the only candidate.
In his candidacy speech, Mr Löfven set out a number of fundamental issues that the Socialists and Social Democrats are invited to support before the electorate in June 2024. It will be important to ensure that the European Green Deal guarantees a socially just climate transition. Highlighting the notion of “climate justice”, the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, expressed the view that the least wealthy citizens should not have to pay a heavy price as a result of this transition.
The PES also says it is committed to defending social and societal rights in the face of attempts by conservative movements to undermine them, and to taking action to reduce poverty. Today, “the younger generation is no longer guaranteed a better future than that of their parents”, observed Mr Löfven. He advocated massive investment in education, housing and digital technologies, which should serve as “allies of workers” and not alienate them.
Regarding international matters, the former Swedish Prime Minister assured that his political family would support Ukraine for “as long as necessary”. There is no alternative when it comes to defending international law, he said.
Unreservedly condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks and calling for the “unconditional” release of Israeli hostages, Mr Löfven called on Israel to “scrupulously” respect international humanitarian law in its response to these attacks, which have killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians. “The human tragedy in Gaza is terrible and must stop”, he also stressed, calling for the creation of humanitarian corridors to relieve the suffering of Gazans. He also advocated the creation of a Palestinian State through the ‘two-state solution’.
Warning against any return to the dark days of history, the PES President urged the party members to vigorously combat “antisemitism and Islamophobia”. “We defend the rule of law and we fight corruption”, he added.
EP2024. At its congress in Malaga, the PES party adopted a resolution setting out the main issues it will be championing at the European elections in June 2024. This document will serve as the basis for drafting its election manifesto. It did not initially refer to Israel's war against Hamas due to differences of opinion between national parties, before an agreement was found on Saturday.
See the PES resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/9iu
The next congress of Europe’s socialists and social democrats will take place in February or March 2024. On this occasion, they will adopt their manifesto and choose their leading candidate (‘Spitzenkandidat’) who, if successful, could preside over the European Commission, if they secure a majority in the European Parliament. At the end of November or in December, the PES leadership will set the procedures and timetable for appointing the Spitzenkandidat. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)