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Rasmussen elected Euro Socialist President

8 December 2006

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen was today re-elected President of the Party of European Socialists – which brings together 32 of Europe’s socialist, social democratic and labour parties from 27 countries.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark 1993-2001, was re-elected unanimously to serve for another two and a half year term by the over 600 voting delegates at PES Congress which is being held in Porto. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen was first elected President in June 2004.

He was immediately congratulated on his election by Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates who said “Thank you for your energy, your competence and your leadership.”

In his Presidential speech Rasmussen said “Last century we created a common direction, a common movement for the welfare state, with people. Now we have to do the same thing but across borders. Creating a progressive consensus on the issues that matter to people – jobs, public services, security, climate change, good corporate behaviour.”

Rasmussen praised Romano Prodi and Piero Fassino for “building a new progressive consensus in Italy” and “Working towards creating the biggest progressive force in Italy by uniting, by creating the Democratic Party.”

He added “also in Poland we’re creating a progressive alliance, the new centre-left, an alternative to the twins.”

He offered on behalf of the PES “my strongest support and congratulations to our next Chancellor of Austria, Alfred Gusenbauer.”

Ruairi Quinn was re-elected treasurer and Philip Cordery was re-elected Secretary General.

Our Common Ambitions by PN Rasmussen