In light of the founding of the European Assembly, 70 years ago, the S&D Group is today celebrating its 70-year anniversary. Under the chairwomanship of S&D Group President, Iratxe García Pérez, MEPS will hold an open Group meeting. President García will hold a keynote speech to be followed by a panel with former S&D Group Presidents, including Jean-Pierre Cot, Pauline Green, Enrique Barón Crespo, Udo Bullmann, and Hannes Swoboda (via video). The event starting at 18:00 will be streamed live here.

On the occasion of the 70-year celebration, the S&D Group also launches a new history section on its website and launches three new social media channels, including Telegram, Mastodon and Reddit. 

Commenting on the anniversary celebration, S&D Group President, Iratxe García Pérez, said: 

“Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the S&D Group means commemorating our roots, which date back long before the European Communities. Our political family was born to bring social justice and progress and to defend the most vulnerable ones in a society where poverty and misery were the norm.

“Our history is also the history of Europe in the 20th century: Social Democrats contributed to the foundation of what today is the European Union, with the aim of joining the destinies of our countries to make another war impossible between us. 70 years ago, we started to defend the same values and objectives in this chamber.

“We have been the driving force of progress and equality in the EU, and we will continue to be. At a time when we see a new war on the European continent, and social inequalities growing again, we renew our commitment to a progressive, fair and sustainable Union.”