Barack jam for Obama 

28 August 2008

PES Activists from Hungary are producing and selling apricot jam to show their support for Barack Obama.

‘Barack’ means apricot in Hungarian – spelt exactly like Obama’s first name - so PES activists made apricot jam in the eastern Hungarian town of Tallya labelled ‘Barack for Obama’ to show their support for the Democratic Presidential hopeful.

Matyas Gati, one of the organizers, said “This is a fun way of making a serious point. Barack Obama is very popular in Hungary because he is so charismatic and because he offers a real alternative to the Republicans who have made such a mess of things in America and abroad. We also wanted to show that we PES activists share the same democratic values and aspirations as Mr Obama. He embodies the principles and values we want to promote as PES activists. We support his ideas for change and the attitude of his politics.”

Funds raised from selling the jam is going to local charities tackling child poverty.

Now Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women, has been presented with the ‘Barack for Obama’ jam in Brussels which she will share with her European Parliamentary colleagues. “I know there is lots of Obama merchandising but Hungarian ‘barack’ jam must be the most original. I am very proud that it was PES activists who came up with the idea. It shows that PES activists are people with the best ideas.”

The Party of European Socialists – which brings together all Europe’s socialist, social democratic and labour parties – launched PES activists to give individual members of its member parties a chance to become more involved in European-wide politics and campaigning. Over 10,000 party members have joined PES activists and there are city groups in many countries.    

Watch ‘Barack for Obama’ jam video here 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Communications Advisor - Media & Campaigns
Party of European Socialists, Rue du Trône, 98, B-1050 Brussels
Mobile +32 486 117 394