The Party of European Socialists has started a series of meetings to exchange views with its member parties on its Programme of Progressive Reforms. The Programme itself is a socialist and democrat proposal for a new social and economic model for Europe, that aims to provide economic growth, quality jobs and an alternative to the current austerity policies.

The first PES member party to host a meeting regarding the Programme was the Social Democratic Party of Finland. On 11 February Maria João Rodrigues MEP, Vice President of the Socialist and Democrat group in the European Parliament and Chair of the PES Working Group on progressive reforms went to Helsinki to present the PES Programme of Progressive Reforms.

Maria João Rodrigues met with Antti Rinne, Chair of SDP Finland and other SDP parliamentarians, notably Antti Lindtman - Chair of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, Tytti Turupainen, Vice Chair of the Finnish Grand Committee and Jutta Urpilainen, MP, Chair of the SDP working group on development- and global trade policy. They discussed together a vision of reforms that allow a more sustainable growth, the creation of more and better jobs and fairer societies.

Speaking in front of the SDP group in the Finnish Parliament, Maria João Rodrigues stated: “We, European Socialists and Democrats, got to a first victory by bringing a shift in the European debate towards more growth-oriented policies and greater investment. We need now to win the battle of ideas what reforms are needed for economic growth that benefits all Europe and helps to reduce social inequalities. The European Semester of policy coordination must change from an exercise in austerity to a process bringing Europe towards sustainable growth. We can only win this battle if we coordinate our family’s efforts in the national capitals and in Brussels. This is why I am really grateful for the SDP’s proactive attitude and their eagerness to discuss progressive reforms.”

A number of meetings with PES member parties on Programme of Progressive Reforms are about to be held in the EU countries in the upcoming months.

President Sergei Stanishev commented: “This exchange of views with our member parties will strengthen the PES Programme of Progressive reforms. Our reforms put people in the centre by aiming to reduce social inequalities, fight poverty and increase solidarity, bringing values back to the European project”.

Party of European Socialists (PES)
http://www.pes.eu/