About: S&D
Liberals and the far-right: A contrasting experience in Spain, Sweden
Four months ahead of the European elections, liberal parties are torn between those ready to engage with the far-right and those opposed to any kind of alliance. Spain and Sweden offer the latest examples.
‘Progressive alliance’ moves a step closer ahead of EU elections
The leaders of the Social Democrats (S&D), Greens and leftist group (GUE/NGL) sat for the first time at the same table to discuss the possibility of a common strategy ahead of the EU elections in May to face down the rise of far-right and neoliberal forces.
Timmermans to be Socialist Spitzenkandidat after Sefcovic withdraws
Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans will be the lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists in next year's EU elections, the party announced on Monday (5 November) after his rival Maroš Šefčovič withdrew from the race and backed the Dutchman instead.
Austrian ex-chancellor Kern to run for centre-left Spitzenkandidat
As expected, opposition leader Christian Kern said yesterday (18 September) he would run as top candidate for the Austrian Social Democrats in the European Parliament elections next year, aiming to help build a strong counterweight to growing nationalist forces.
Sefcovic officially enters the Spitzenkandidaten battle
Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič announced officially on Monday (17 September) his candidacy to be the leading candidate of his social-democrat political group in the campaign for the 2019 European elections.
Bullmann: Macron must decide if he is a ‘real progressive’ or not
French President Emmanuel Macron has to make his political identity clear and clarify whether he is a “real progressive” who wants to contribute to a social Europe, S&D President Udo Bullmann told EURACTIV in an interview.
Pro-Gazprom bias detected in European Parliament vote on PCIs
A motion introduced by the Green group to oppose “projects of common interest” based on fossil fuels was rejected by a large majority of MEPs last week (March 14), but among those who supported it were MEPs who traditionally support Russia.
MEPs grill Romania’s government in absentia
Procedural problems prevented Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader from addressing the European Parliament's plenary session on Wednesday (7 February) and explaining the government’s current judiciary reforms, which many MEPs see as a threat to the rule of law.
New S&D figurehead: We expect the Romanian justice minister to speak in plenary
Maria João Rodrigues, who is emerging as the most prominent figurehead in the European Parliament's S&D group, made it plain on Thursday (1 February) that her political group is quite critical of its Romanian affiliate member, the ruling social-democrat PSD.
S&D chief: ‘Employment for young Africans is a huge challenge’
On the eve of the EU-Africa Summit, Gianni Pittella says that European short-termism in migration policy will not address its root causes, and looks at agribusiness to leverage the continent out of poverty - 'but not at any cost'.
Photographer warns ‘mankind’s first people’ face extinction
A photo exhibition by Belgian photographer and journalist Roger Job has highlighted the risk of extinction facing the Turkanas, a nomad pastoral population in north-east Kenya, threatened by climate change and a significant recent discovery of natural resources in their lands.
Africa forum embraces the ‘Spotlight initiative’
Violence against women and girls is the root cause of discrimination and disempowerment, and this is not only about Africa, speakers insisted yesterday (26 September) at a conference on “Political Empowerment of Women in Africa and in Europe”.
PES president: Unlike EPP, socialists do not impose decisions on member parties
In the European socialist political family, important decisions are not made by the president or the most influential national leaders, as is the case with the centre-right European People’s Party, President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Sergei Stanishev told EURACTIV.com.
EU ministers pledge more efforts for Africa partnership
EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg Monday (19 June) committed to working closely with their African partners for an “ambitious and successful” EU-Africa summit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on 29 and 30 November, with “Investing in Youth” as the central theme....
EU Socialists and Greens take first step towards a ‘progressive coalition’
In an effort to lay the foundations for a progressive alliance, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) today (7 March) will hold a first ever bureau meeting with the Greens-European Free Alliance (Greens-EFA) group of the European Parliament.
French and German socialists divided by CETA vote
The European Parliament's vote on ratifying CETA, the EU-Canada trade agreement, revealed the deep divisions among socialists across the EU, in particular in the “engine of Europe” – France and Germany.
EU party leaders team up to reject Trump ambassador
The three major “pro-European” groups in the European Parliament, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the ALDE liberals, have taken the position that the EU should reject Ted R. Malloch as US ambassador to the EU.
CETA clears crucial hurdle in Parliament’s trade committee
The EU's trade agreement with Canada cleared a crucial hurdle today (24 January) when it was approved by the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, making way for the deal to be sent to a vote in the entire 751-seat chamber next month.
Schulz’s departure paves way for leftist alliance in EU Parliament
The decision of former European Parliament President Martin Schulz to return to national politics came as a “relief” for the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) who now have their hands free to forge alliances with political parties on the left, S&D sources told EURACTIV in Strasbourg.
Verhofstadt drops out of EU Parliament race, backs EPP
The right-wing European People’s Party (EPP) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) decided to form a pro-European coalition that will support EPP candidate for the Parliament presidency Antonio Tajani. EURACTIV.com reports from Strasbourg.
Liberals and anti-Europeans hold key to Parliament presidency
The votes of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), as well as the ultimate stance of the far-right Europe of Nations and Freedom group (ENF) will determine today’s election (17 January) of the next European Parliament president, EURACTIV has learned. EURACTIV.com reports from Strasbourg.
Greens’ Parliament candidate: ‘I’m actually radical’
One of the outside candidates for the European Parliament Presidency explains why a Brit, a woman and a Green should get the job – even if her respectable appearance and former job as a teacher doesn’t prevent her from going on demos.
EPP picks Tajani as candidate for European Parliament chief
The European Union's centre-right grouping yesterday (13 December) elected Antonio Tajani as its candidate to replace Social Democrat Martin Schulz as President of the European Parliament, a move that could increase calls for a reshuffle of other top EU jobs.