S&D President Iratxe García will meet with Poland’s government in preparation of the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will run from January to the end of June 2025. The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament is travelling this week to Warsaw ahead of the next European rotating presidency which will take place in the context of conflict, a disinformation campaign all across Europe from the far right, a brand new European Commission, and getting ready for future challenges.

During the one day visit, on Thursday 5 December, the S&D President will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the members of the Polish government. This will be followed by an exchange of views with the members of the Polish Parliament, including the President of parliamentary group of the Nowa Lewica, Anna Maria Żukowska. The European Parliament delegation will also meet with Szymon Hołownia, Marshal of the Sejm and, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate.

S&D Group leader, Iratxe García, said:

"We are at a crucial geopolitical moment, with a war at the gates of Europe and with the strength of pro-European forces that are threatened by the playing of both sides by some. The upcoming presidency of the EU Council, in the hands of Poland, will play a key role in shaping the future of the Union.  

"Just immediate after the kick off of the European Commission, and after a non-existent Hungarian Presidency, where Prime Minister Orbán has done nothing but defame and spread false information, we expect commitment to the EU values, democracy, rule of law and leadership to move forward on the EU policies our Union needs from the Polish Presidency.

"We hope that January 1, 2025, it will be a new beginning, and we would like to remind the Prime Minister Donald Tusk that we, the Socialists and Democrats, expect the EPP to stand in agreement with European values, security and progress.

"Poland needs progressives policies which invest in employment, education, citizens' rights, a just transition, social justice, and competitiveness. We must not forget the role of women in removing PiS from power. We'll continue the fight for free and safe abortion throughout the country, in collaboration with Nowa Lewica."