PES Presidency confirms Common Candidate nominees and discusses priorities for 2019 campaign
Date
29 Oct 2018
Sections
Public Affairs
Senior representatives from progressive parties across Europe gathered today at the PES Presidency meeting to discuss the upcoming elections and to hear from Common Candidate nominees Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy, and Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission.
At the meeting the PES Common Candidate Working Group confirmed that both nominees had sufficient backing from member parties to stand to become the PES Common Candidate. Welcoming the nominees, PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“Two strong candidates have put themselves forward to lead the PES family as we fight for social justice, solidarity and equality together. All PES member parties and organisations are committed to a robust and democratic Common Candidate process to decide who leads the PES into the European Elections next year.”
The Presidency meeting focused on the PES strategy and campaign priorities for the election. This included discussion on the eight resolutions - due to be adopted at the PES Congress in December - that will form the basis of the 2019 PES manifesto.
The resolutions tackle key issues facing Europe today, such as the rights or workers in the digital economy, the need for more Social Europe, the transition to environmentally sustainable communities, gender equality and many other issues.
After working through a packed agenda, the Presidency meeting concluded at 17.30