The Party of European Socialists welcomes the election of Udo Bullmann as the new president of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D). The PES is ready to continue strong cooperation with the S&D under his leadership in the run up to the 2019 European elections.
 
PES president Sergei Stanishev said: ‘I am really happy that Udo Bullmann will lead the S&D group in the European Parliament. He is a real fighter for social justice and for a sustainable economy, two key goals for the PES. As a Member of the European Parliament, he has tirelessly promoted a social agenda for Europe, solidly rooted in social democratic principles. I am certain he will successfully steer the left turn our political family is taking and I know he will lead us to success in policy making.

I would also like to praise esteemed colleague Kathleen van Brempt for her strong commitment to a progressive, just and fair Europe. Now that the leadership race is over, I believe that the S&D Group will continue to work as a strong team, drawing on the expertise of every single MEP.”

The PES is determined to increase its co-operation with both the S&D group and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, taking advantage of the fact that the presidents of all three entities are Members of the European Parliament.

Notes for editors

• All 28 EU member states are represented by their progressive parties at the PES, which brings together 34 socialist, social democratic, labour and democratic parties as full members. Together with 13 associate parties and 12 observer parties from outside the EU, we fight for a better and more progressive Europe.
• The current president of the PES is Sergei Stanishev.
• The Socialists & Democrats Group is the parliamentary group of the PES.