In its meeting in Strasbourg, the S&D Group decided to give a positive voting indication on today‘s vote on the next Commission President. This follows today’s  conclusion that the candidate’s political programme largely met the Groups key demands as well as an in-depth exchange of views with the candidate on Tuesday, 9 July, in Brussels, a careful scrutiny of the Political Guidelines, and today’s plenary debate with the candidate. 

During the upcoming hearings with Commissioner-designates and for the coming 5 years, the S&D Group will work sincerely with the Commission to make these goals a reality for Europeans and hold the Commission accountable.

Iratxe García Pérez, S&D Group leader, said:

“We have made the Commission's Political Guidelines the most social and the greenest ever. With our demands, we shaped the chapter on the social dimension and we achieved a clear commitment not to cooperate with the far right, on the fight against climate change, and on a just transition.

"For the first time, the European Union will have a European strategy against poverty and we will finally address the problem of housing, with a Commissioner for housing. And this will happen because we asked for it. On top of that, I will propose the creation of a special committee on housing at the European Parliament.

"Our vote is not a blank cheque. Our job begins now. We will continue working to put our social imprint in all EU policies for the next five years".

Among the key demands the Socialists and Democrats anchored in the Political Guidelines of the Commission are: 

A strong social dimension:

• A New Action Plan on the Implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights;
• First ever Anti-Poverty Strategy;
• European Affordable Housing Plan with increased funding for housing;
• A Commissioner responsible for Housing;
• Right to Disconnect
• Quality Jobs Roadmap to strengthen worker's rights 
• Pact for European Social Dialogue to strengthen social dialogue
• Strengthening the Child Guarantee and Erasmus.

A clear commitment to the Green Deal,  fight against Climate Change and Just transition:

• Significant Increase of Funding for Just Transition;
• Swift Roll out of Social Climate Fund. 

A gender equal Europe:

• A New Gender Equality Strategy to fight violence against women and ensure equal opportunities;
• A Commissioner responsible for equality;
• A Roadmap for Women's Rights.