The progressive political family today expresses its deep solidarity with everyone affected by the coronavirus and reaffirms its commitment to the joint fight to overcome COVID-19.

Europe needs a progressive Recovery Plan to respond to the first phase of the crisis and its deep and long-lasting consequences, leaders from PES member parties concluded during a videoconference this morning.

While meeting online, all leaders agreed that the most urgent issue is to provide all European countries with the needed medical supplies and equipment to fight the pandemic and to save people’s lives.

PES President Sergei Stanishev said:

“The focus now is rightfully on controlling the pandemic and protecting lives. But in the short and medium term we must also address the socioeconomic fallout. A far-reaching Recovery Plan for workers and businesses is needed.

“In the longer term we need to think about our strategic choices. We cannot afford to revert to ‘business as usual’ and learn nothing. The Stability and Growth Pact suspension must continue for 2020 and beyond. To finance the recovery, the ‘whatever it takes’ approach must be maintained. Issuing eurobonds is the most sensible option to finance Europe’s long-term recovery strategy at a low cost.

Read the full statement here.