News > PES – A huge thank you to all 2000 convention participants – now let’s build!
PES – A huge thank you to all 2000 convention participants – now let’s build!
Success in numbers, success in atmosphere and success on content – this was the universal opinion of over 2000 participants who attended the PES Convention last week. The convention was capped by rousing speeches by PES interim President Sergei Stanishev, and by S&D Group President, Martin Schulz, that paid tribute to the energy of the Convention goers. Both speeches emphasised that the convention marked the start of a building process for European Social Democracy.
The two day event built on the concrete plans of the PES Council of 24th November by identifying the policy areas of our fundamental programme. Be it on a fair economy, equal societies, a just world, or on active democracy, the Convention gave clear direction for the progressive movement.
The challenge is to build on this excellent momentum. The Convention received a well timed boost on the second day, as Belgian negotiators announced a breakthrough deal that will see PS Belge leader, Elio Di Rupo, become Prime Minister. Now, as new Interim President Sergei Stanishev said we need to take back France, then Italy, then Germany, and then in 2014, Europe.
The PES now has three sturdy pillars upon which to build European Social Democracy. Firstly, the historic decision to agree a process for a ‘lead’ candidate for 2014 the European Elections will be ‘rolled out’ to national party members. Secondly, the declaration of principles will inform the PES fundamental programme and thirdly, the reports from over 50 convention workshops will be complied over the coming weeks.
Thanks again to each and every participant at our Convention. Now let’s build!
The challenge is to build on this excellent momentum. The Convention received a well timed boost on the second day, as Belgian negotiators announced a breakthrough deal that will see PS Belge leader, Elio Di Rupo, become Prime Minister. Now, as new Interim President Sergei Stanishev said we need to take back France, then Italy, then Germany, and then in 2014, Europe.
The PES now has three sturdy pillars upon which to build European Social Democracy. Firstly, the historic decision to agree a process for a ‘lead’ candidate for 2014 the European Elections will be ‘rolled out’ to national party members. Secondly, the declaration of principles will inform the PES fundamental programme and thirdly, the reports from over 50 convention workshops will be complied over the coming weeks.
Thanks again to each and every participant at our Convention. Now let’s build!
No comments