16/09/24 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 13 September, the Social Democratic Group in the European Parliament (S&D) called on the re-elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to strengthen the EU’s political commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a tweet on the X network, the group stressed the importance of the EU becoming a crucial player in relations with the Global South in order to promote development, democracy and human rights. The Social Democrats have asked the President to confirm the post of European Commissioner for Development and to maintain this portfolio. On Monday 9 September, the MEPs on the European Parliament Development Committee had already called, through their chairman Barry Andrews (Renew Europe, Irish), for “coherent leadership within the Commission to ensure rapid and coordinated progress on humanitarian aid and development”. (BD)