PES Newsletter n°21 – September 2007
Yourspace - manifesto2009
It’s ‘Yourspace’ – one big open consultation by the Party of European Socialists on what should be in our manifesto for the 2009 European elections. It’s our big ambition: for all Europe's socialist, social democratic and labour parties to go into the 2009 European elections around a common progressive manifesto. The consultation, for all members of our member parties, starts by the end of September – watch our website and your email inbox!
PES sets out its autumn agenda
Following this summer’s financial turmoil, and in the light of PES political priorities for this year and next, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen sent European Commission President José Manuel Barroso a letter setting out social democratic priorities for the autumn.
McCreevy answers to PES president in EP debate
In a special European Parliamentary debate on recent financial instability, European Commissioner McCreevy addressed his concluding remarks directly at PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.
Sofia calling! Come to PES Council...
PES activists are invited to join member party representatives at the PES Council on 22-23 November in Sofia, Bulgaria. It will be a great occasion to discuss the manifesto, but those who can’t come to Bulgaria will be able to send questions by email and follow the debates on our website.
Cristina Narbona lands top climate change role in PES
Spanish Environment Minister Cristina Narbona has been appointed Coordinator of the PES Network of Environment Ministers and Oppostion spokespersons. She will lead the PES’ work on climate change and ‘Smart green growth’.
PES activists - they’re really active!
There is a new PES activists group in Luxembourg, a new coordinator for PES activists in Romania, new city groups being set up in Namur (capital of Wallonia, Belgium) and Florence, and a new PES activists facebook forum! As if that wasn’t enough a group of Danish and Catalan activists are getting together on a visit to the European Parliament in Brussels in October – and activists from Paris have promised to join them.
Welcome Eamon – good luck George and Wojciech!
The PES congratulates Eamon Gilmore on being elected Leader of the Labour Party in Ireland and wishes good luck to PASOK Leader George Papandreou in the Greek elections on 16 September and Democratic Left Alliance Leader Wojciech Olejniczak in the Polish elections on 21 October.
European elections in Romania
PES also wishes good luck and big success to PSD Leader Mircea Geoana for the first-ever European Parliamentary elections in Romania on 25 November.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Foreign Affairs Ministers
Meet in Luxembourg on 14 October.
PES Women & Equality Ministers
PES Women annual meeting “Women on the labour market” will discuss employability and entrepreneurship on 3 October 9.30-6 in Lisbon, and PES Women’s Equality Ministers meet on 4 October in also Lisbon.
PES Lisbon Network
Meets on 18 September in Portugal to discuss PES proposals for the revision of the ‘Lisbon guidelines’ for national reform.
PES Diversity and Integration Network
Fact finding mission to Sweden on 12 October, and full meeting of the network in Brussels on 17 October chaired by Gary Titley and Emine Bozkurt MEPs.
Young European Socialists are 15!
ECOSY is holding a 15 years anniversary celebration on 16-18 November in The Hague – all ECOSY veterans and current party representatives are invited!
