With regard to the ongoing inter-institutional negotiations about the future set-up of the European Commission, S&D Group leader Udo Bullmann states: 

“We take note of reports that the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, will come together for a meeting today. Political groups were not officially informed about this meeting. EP President Tajani has no mandate from the political groups to represent the Parliament in the inter-institutional negotiations as of today. Therefore, the meeting between Tajani and Tusk can only be considered an internal and unofficial gathering of EPP representatives.  

“As Socialists and Democrats we put content first and will not settle for the horse-trading of posts behind closed doors which ignores the political programme. We are for a fundamental policy change that puts Europe on a new track of social justice and sustainability, as requested by European citizens."

“We reaffirm last week’s statement that the European Parliament has to remain at the centre of all decisions to select the next President of the European Commission. This is a matter of respect towards the democratic decision of European citizens, who have participated in this year’s elections with the biggest turnout in 20 years. We call on all negotiators to respect their voices.”