Protecting people: PES Presidency responds to global conflict and rising costs

The members of the PES Presidency adopted two political declarations: one on the Middle East, calling for "No to war" and de-escalation, and another - "Making Life Affordable in Europe" - setting out a progressive response to the cost-of-living crisis affecting millions of Europeans.

Meeting in Brussels for the PES Presidency, progressive representatives expressed deep concern about the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East and its severe humanitarian consequences, as well as its growing economic impact, and called for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

In their declaration on the Middle East, PES representatives stressed that respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter must remain the foundation of the international order and called for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

Across the region, civilians are paying the highest price. Lives are being lost, families displaced, and communities devastated. Progressive leaders underlined the urgent need to protect civilians, ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance and work towards a political solution that can bring lasting peace and stability.

As geopolitical instability increases, progressive leaders warned that ongoing conflicts are already contributing to economic uncertainty and rising costs across Europe.

PES leaders also warned against further escalation and stressed that only diplomacy can provide a sustainable path forward. Europe must remain a strong defender of multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

PES Presidency Declaration on the Middle East is available here.

On the Middle East declaration, Stefan Löfven, President of the Party of European Socialists, said:

"The escalating violence in the Middle East is deeply alarming. Civilians are paying the highest price, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The international community must act to prevent further escalation and ensure that international law, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation prevail.

At the same time, these conflicts are also impacting people here in Europe, increasing instability and putting pressure on the cost of living.

Our responsibility is clear: to stand up for international law, support diplomacy and ensure that people can live with dignity - in peace, in Europe and beyond."

PES Presidency Declaration "Making Life Affordable in Europe" available here.

The ongoing conflicts are also contributing to global economic instability and rising costs for European citizens. Against this backdrop, PES leaders also adopted a declaration setting out progressive priorities to address the cost-of-living crisis and ensure that everyone in Europe can afford the essentials of daily life.

'Making Life Affordable in Europe' outlines key progressive priorities, including quality jobs that pay; affordable healthcare, affordable housing; affordable energy; affordable transport; affordable and healthy food; affordable education and culture; and a comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Stefan Löfven, President of the Party of European Socialists, said:

"Too many Europeans are struggling to pay for the essentials of daily life. Ensuring that people can afford housing, energy, healthcare, and transport is fundamental to protecting the European social model. Progressive policies must deliver concrete solutions so that everyone can live with dignity. No one should have to choose between heating their home, paying their rent, or buying food.

The affordability crisis is avoidable. With progressive political choices, it is possible to tackle systemic market failures and a highly unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities."

Across Europe, too many people are struggling to make ends meet, with rising prices putting increasing pressure on households and limiting access to essential goods and services. This pressure is being further intensified by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical instability.

Progressive leaders underline that essential goods and services must not be driven solely by profit and speculation but recognised as fundamental to people's dignity and quality of life.

They reaffirm that affordability is not a privilege, but a fundamental right, and call for decisive political action at the European and national levels to protect citizens, strengthen public services and ensure that no one is left behind.

They also highlighted the key role of trade unions in delivering a fair transition,with the invited participation of Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), underlining the importance of ensuring that the green transition is socially just and leaves no one behind, and presented the ETUC Nicosia Declaration.

The PES Presidency also discussed the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The Chair of the newly constituted PES MFF Working Group, PES Vice-president, MEP, Victor Negrescu, expressed the need for an ambitious next MFF. PES stresses the EU budget's role as a fundamental tool for upward social and economic convergence in the EU, ensuring prosperity and that no one is left behind. The Working Group is advancing strong work on key priorities: a social Europe with a robust European Social Fund and cohesion policy; bold climate investments; sustainable competitiveness; democratic governance that includes local and regional authorities; security and resilience; and a stronger global role for the EU. The MFF Working Group ensures that progressive priorities are at the heart of the negotiations, supporting our political family across EU institutions, including the European Council, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Committee of the Regions.

PES leaders also expressed concern about the continued deterioration of democratic standards in Türkiye. One year on from the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul and a leading opposition figure and the candidate for the presidential election from the Republican People's Party (CHP), PES leaders stressed that this represents a serious blow to democracy and the rule of law. PES Leaders called for the release of detained elected mayors from the CHP and the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM).

Looking ahead, PES leaders underlined the importance of upcoming elections across Europe, including in Slovenia, Denmark, Bulgaria, and Hungary, stressing the need to defend democracy, strengthen progressive forces and counter the rise of the far right, while supporting member parties such as Socialni Demokrati (SD) in Slovenia, Socialdemokratiet (SD) in Denmark, Bulgarian Socialists Party (BSP) in Bulgaria, and Democratic Coalition (DK) in Hungary.

At a time of growing uncertainty, the message is clear: people must come first. Unity and mobilisation are more important than ever. The Global Progressive Mobilisation in Barcelona on 17-18 April will be a key moment to bring together progressive forces across continents, movements, and generations to defend democracy, advance social justice, peace and shape a fairer future.