PES Newsletter n°24 – January 2008

Best wishes for 2008 – the year we make our manifesto, build PES activists and get ready to win the 2009 European elections

Give it some stars!

Last year the PES launched ‘Yourspace’ – for you to have your say on the PES manifesto for the 2009 European elections. Lots of people have already posted comments and ideas. One great way to give your view is to ‘rate’ the posts - and videos - you think are the most relevant or important for our manifesto. Give your favourite articles up to five stars. Watch our ‘Rate it!’ video.   

PES proposes Oil Forum for the EU

Breaking Europe’s dependence on oil should be the focus of an ‘Oil Forum’ bringing together politicians, industry, scientists and EU institutions say PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Swedish Social Democratic Party Leader Mona Sahlin.

PES child care campaign ends with presentation to European Commissioner 

The PES presented the results of its year-long child care campaign to European Commissioner Vladimir Spidla – and urged him to make the strongest possible proposals in his communication on meeting EU child care targets which is due to be published next year.   

Fog in Court on workers' rights

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen expressed his deep frustration at the ruling of the European Court creating doubts about the right of Swedish trade unions to take action to force a foreign company to observe pay deals reached through collective bargaining.   

New centre-left President for Slovenia

Danilo Turk, the independent, centre-left candidate backed by the Social Democrats, has taken over as President of Slovenia following two rounds of elections in October and November. He took his post just before the start of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU. Parliamentary elections in Slovenia are due in October 2008 with Social Democrat Leader Borut Pahor doing well in opinion polls. 

Bhutto’s courage should inspire Pakistan for a better future

PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen wishes the new Leadership of the Progressive Party of Pakistan success in the general elections in Pakistan on 18 February and offers his party’s sincere condolences for the murder of Benazir Bhutto. 

Free the hostages! 

The PES welcomes the release of two hostages, former Congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez and Clara Rojas, by Colombian rebel group FARC. Efforts must be stepped up to achieve the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt, held for almost six years, and other hostages still held by FARC.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Key PES events in 2008 include:

PES Gender Equality Ministers meeting, Ljubljana, 1 February
PES Delegation to Washington & New York for meetings with US Democrats, 4-8 February 
PES Diversity & Integration Network meeting, Brussels, 14 February and 10 April
PES Prime Ministers Meeting, Brussels, 13 March
PES Presidency 14 February, 10 April, 12 June, 16 October, 6 November  
PES Euromed conference, Naples, 17 April
PES Balkan Conference, Skopje, 29-30 May
PES Activists manifesto consultation closing event, Vienna,  4-5 July
PES Council, Madrid, November/December