Socialists and democrats will hold Commission President to progressive promises

The Party of European Socialists (PES) congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on her re-election as President of the European Commission. As the largest progressive force in Europe, we will ensure the progressive commitments she has made are fully delivered in the next mandate for the benefit of citizens. Where her programme does not go far enough, we will continue to advocate for a more ambitious approach.

PES President Stefan Löfven said:

"We congratulate the Commission President on her election. We have listened to the speeches, we have heard the promises, now it is time to deliver.

"The PES has always been committed to the Spitzenkandidat system and we welcome the decision of the European institutions to uphold it and set a pro-European foundation for the next institutional cycle. We expect that majority to continue delivering on the programme that has been negotiated and agreed upon.

"Socialists and social democrats will be a constructive force in the next mandate for the benefit of all in Europe. We will work to reflect the progressive future that millions of Europeans voted for at the European elections. And, as S&D President Iratxe Garcia said, we will continue to be the firewall against the far-right."

PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:

"As a political family, we are proud of the way that we ran our European elections campaign, led by PES Common Candidate Nicolas Schmit. We have always backed the Spitzenkandidat process as a way to strengthen European democracy and the EU project. The higher turnout at this election proves that this has been a success, one that has enhanced and strengthened the democratic legitimacy of all those leading the EU's institutions. We wish presidents Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Roberta Metsola and nominated EU High Representative Kaja Kallas success in the years to come as you work to address the challenges Europe faces and deliver a better future for all."

President Von der Leyen secured 401 votes in the European Parliament today, including being backed by the S&D Group. As part of her re-election bid, the Commission President has committed to deliver on a number of progressive priorities, in areas including the European Green Deal, Social Europe, and the Rule of Law.

Thanks to the efforts of the socialist and democratic family, post-election negotiations ensured key priorities from the PES 2024 manifesto featured prominently in President von der Leyen's speech today: investment in the green transition focused on a made in Europe approach, supporting skills, a Quality Jobs Roadmap, implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, progress on gender equality, a strong cohesion policy that puts citizens and regions at the centre, a European Affordable Housing Plan, a focus on anti-poverty, controlling artificial intelligence, the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, unwavering support for Ukraine, a EU comprehensive approach to reinitiate the peace process between Israel and Palestine, and other priorities.

While investments in the green and digital transition feature prominently in the political guidelines, the PES will continue to stand for a permanent EU long-term investment capacity and will keep pushing for more ambitious proposals in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. We will remain vigilant regarding Cohesion policy, which must be ambitious with local ownership. We regret the absence of commitments on tax justice, especially the completion of pending measures put forward by progressive Commissioners in the outgoing mandate.

The PES enters the new mandate as the largest progressive political family in Europe with the S&D Group in the European Parliament remaining the second largest, following a stable result at the European elections. The PES will continue fighting to take forward our progressive agenda in close cooperation with the S&D Group, European Commissioners from our political family, progressive heads of state and government, PES member parties, the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions, and all PES member organisations and partners.

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