Today, during the plenary debate on the presentation of the College of Commissioners and its programme by Commission President-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, the S&D leader, Iratxe García, calls all groups to respect the agreement between the pro-European forces and highlights the commitment of the Social Democrats to advance in the EU agenda with a constructive approach. 

S&D Group leader, Iratxe García, said:

“We are at a decisive moment for the future of the European project. We face challenges of enormous magnitude at a time when the extreme right wants to put an end to the European project, Trump threatens to break the transatlantic link, China has shattered trade rules, international law is questioned as a consequence of Putin’s devastating war against Ukraine and Netanyahu’s slaughter in Gaza and Lebanon. 

“In this risky context, there are political parties that have irresponsibly tried to weaken the new Commission, undermined the prestige of the Institution and exposed the Union to a crisis of governance. The Social Democratic family’s yes to the new College of Commissioners is a responsible and constructive yes, a yes for the stability of the European Union. A yes for our citizens.

“The pro-European forces that have built the Union since its foundation have an agreement.

We, Social Democrats, ask Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen and EPP president Manfred Weber to abandon their whitewashing of the far right and reaffirm their commitment to the pro-European majority. Our support is not a blank cheque. We will not accept double-dealing.

“With Teresa Ribera’s leadership on the green transition, Roxana Mînzatu’s commitment to quality jobs, Dan Jørgensen’s commitment to access to housing and Glenn Micallef’s engagement for the future of young people, Social Democrats will do their utmost to advance in the EU agenda with a constructive and pro-European approach.”