Social, democratic and sustainable – this is our Europe. That was the message as the Common Candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Nicolas Schmit, joined high-level progressives and hundreds of activists in Bucharest, Romania.
The PES Conference –We stand together, for our Europe – was a rallying point for progressives ahead of the European elections in June.
The event featured speeches and interventions came from Nicolas Schmit, PES President Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Romania Marcel Ciolacu, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck, S&D President and PES Executive Vice-President Iratxe García, SPD Germany Spitzenkandidat and PES Executive Vice-President Katarina Barley, PES Vice-President Victor Negrescu, PES Vice-President and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Szejna, Minister of Investments and European Projects of Romania Adrian Câciu, Minister of labour and social solidarity or Romania Simona Bucura-Oprescu, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government of Malta Owen Bonnici, Secretary of State in the Ministry of the Environment of Romania Bogdan Balanişcu, FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues, and PSD-PNL candidate for the City Hall of Bucharest Cătălin Cîrstoiu.
PES Common Candidate Nicolas Schmit said:
“This conference is a milestone for our European elections campaign. It is great to be back in Bucharest.
“From increasing minimum wages, to boosting child benefits, pensions and financial support for vulnerable people, to capping electricity and gas prices, PSD Romania shows why progressive politics makes a positive difference for citizen.
“Under the leadership of PSD, Romania has joined Schengen. As European Commission President, I will make sure that Romania is fully integrated into Schengen. There can be no further delay!”
Action on the cost of living crisis, a Green Social Deal, and tackling the far-right were all key topics on the conference agenda.
One thousand supporters and activists of Partidul Social Democrat (PSD) – a full member party of the PES – took part in the conference. Alongside pivotal European elections, 2024 will also see Romanian voters cast their ballots in decisive local and national elections.
Before the conference, PES Common Candidate Nicolas Schmit and Minister for Labour and Social Solidarity or Romania, Simona Bucura-Oprescu, visited a textile manufacturer which provides apprenticeships and employs people from disadvantaged backgrounds and met with young people to discuss the European labour market.
Pictures from the event are available on Flickr.
