Progressives come together for Common Candidate
Date
07 Nov 2018
Sections
Public Affairs
European socialists and democrats, united behind a Common Candidate, met in Brussels today to set out their ambition for the 2019 EU elections. After Frans Timmermans was endorsed as the PES Common Candidate by fellow Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, the President of the S&D Group Udo Bullmann hosted an exchange with Frans Timmermans at the S&D Group meeting today, with the participation of Maros Šefčovič and PES President Sergei Stanishev. The meeting was a clear sign that progressives are up and ready for the 2019 campaign.
PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“Frans Timmermans is an established champion of democracy, fairness and equality in Europe. He is a committed fighter for a just and social Europe. Having him as the designated PES Common Candidate is a step forward in our ambition to change Europe for the better.”
Stanishev also thanked Maroš Šefčovič for endorsing Frans Timmermans.
“Because of the team play of Maroš, the PES is now ready to start rolling out our 2019 campaign. This has only happened thanks to the contribution of all PES member parties, thanks to the devotion of all our prime ministers and leaders, and especially thanks to the efforts of Antonio Costa, leader of PS Portugal, who coordinated the dialogue”, Stanishev added.
President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament Udo Bullmann said:
“We are proud and happy having hosted this exchange with first Vice-Commissioner Frans Timmermans. The strength and unity we demonstrated today is not only crucial for the future of our party family, but for the future of Europe and European values. Conservatives are clearly no longer reliable partners when it comes to fighting the dark forces that are trying to undermine rule of law, democracy and solidarity in Europe. We Socialists and Democrats are the engine of progress and unity in Europe. Frans Timmermans has been at the forefront of the fight for the protection of Europe’s core values and he will continue to be as our Common Candidate. I wish to thank Maroš Šefčovič for his strong sense of cohesion and for his commitment to our common fight. We all count on his contribution in the battle that lies ahead.”
First Vice President of the European Commission, and PES Common Candidate, Frans Timmermans said:
“This battle will be about the very soul of Europe. We will campaign on the issues people are concerned about; the urgent threat of climate change, the cuts to social protection which impact our whole society, the unfairness and injustices in our communities. "People are rightly angry, but radical change must mean changing the leadership in Europe, not reverting to nationalism. So the message for a united Europe is more important than ever. "That is the successful example that leaders like Antonio Costa, Pedro Sanchez and Stefan Lofven have shown us. We are ready to fight this election, to win this election, and to put socialists and social democrats in charge again in Europe.”
Vice President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič said:
"It will be the team spirit shown today, that will help us reach every corner of Europe with the messages of our campaign. I will work closely with Frans to make sure that our political family will respond best to people's sense of insecurity and inequality."
At the meeting with the S&D group, PES President Sergei Stanishev outlined the next steps in the campaign, starting with the upcoming Congress. Stanishev invited Maroš Šefčovič to become the Chief Coordinator for the PES resolutions, which will be adopted by the PES Congress in Lisbon in December.
PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“In his duties as Commissioner and a Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the Energy Union, Maroš reflects the progressive vision of a confident, modern and social Europe. I am warmly supporting him to continue and further develop his vision in the next European Commission.” “With strong Congress resolutions, with the invaluable contribution from all member parties and with the energy of Frans Timmermans and his devotion and achievements for a better Europe, I am confident the PES will emerge with an inspiring 2019 Manifesto.” Stanishev added.