PES Presidency sets progressive priorities for Europe’s next budget

The PES Presidency met in Brussels to discuss key political developments across Europe, prepare the upcoming PES Council in Paris, highlighted the success of the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM), and discuss the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

As Europe faces growing geopolitical, economic and social challenges, members underlined the need for a strong progressive response capable of delivering security, fairness and opportunity. Against this backdrop, PES President Stefan Löfven announced that the next PES Council will take place in Paris on 27 and 28 November, bringing together progressive leaders from across Europe at a crucial moment for the future of the European project.

Stefan Löfven, PES President, said:

"The success of the Global Progressive Mobilisationin Barcelona showed the growing strength of progressive cooperation across Europe and beyond. Progressives must continue working together to deliver hope, fairness and security for our citizens.

The PES Council in Paris this November will be an important opportunity for our political family to strengthen that common vision and our response to the challenges ahead.

Turning that vision into concrete action will require the right political choices and the right investments. The next Multiannual Financial Frameworkwill shape Europe's capacity to act for years to come. At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, economic transformation and growing social challenges, Europe needs a budget that delivers for people: investing in quality jobs, cohesion, affordable housing, public services and education, security and sustainable competitiveness. I would like to thank PES Vice-President Victor Negrescu for his excellent leadership of our MFF Working Group .

1. Improving the daily lives of citizens, by placing Social Europe at the heart of the next MFF through clearly identifiable investment in quality jobs, education, public health, affordable housing, inclusion and intergenerational fairness, while protecting biodiversity, food security and rural areas, democracy and the rule of law.

2. Securing strong economies , by strengthening cohesion and convergence across the Union, boost sustainable competitiveness through reindustrialisation, decarbonisation and innovation, and support SMEs and the social economy, clean technologies and affordable energy.

3. Strengthening Europe's position in the world, by reinforcing security and preparedness, protecting critical infrastructure, supporting Ukraine and other crisis-affected regions, and advancing multilateralism, human rights and a rules-based international order.

We must safeguard key progressive priorities in the next EU budget."

Victor Negrescu, Chair of the PES MFF Working Group, PES Vice-President, and MEP

Members stressed that the next long-term EU budget will define Europe's capacity to act in a context of geopolitical instability, climate crisis and economic transformation. They welcomed the progress made by the Working Group and underlined the importance of building a common progressive position ahead of the negotiations.

Members welcomed the success of the Global Progressive Mobilisation held in Barcelona in April, which brought together progressive leaders, activists, trade unions and civil society representatives from around the world. The Presidency stressed that Barcelona was not a one-time event, but the beginning of a broader and long-term effort to strengthen global progressive cooperation. Members reaffirmed their commitment to building on this momentum through future gatherings, joint initiatives and continued mobilisation across the progressive movement.

Giacomo Filibeck, PES Secretary General, Thomas Vaupel, PES Deputy Secretary General, and Katarina Barley, PES Executive Vice-President, MEP, and Vice-President of the European Parliament

The Presidency also welcomed a series of positive developments for progressive forces across Europe, reflecting growing confidence in progressive leadership at a time of increasing uncertainty. Members congratulated Denmark on the formation of a new government led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Malta on the re-election of Prime Minister Robert Abela. They also welcomed the electoral victory of Albin Kurti and Vetëvendosje in Kosovo and congratulated Antti Lindtman on his re-election as leader of Finland's Social Democratic Party.

Over recent developments in Lithuania, where the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) announced the formation of a new governing coalition, Members congratulated Mindaugas Sinkevičius on becoming Prime Minister and expressed their confidence in working together to advance a more secure, affordable and socially just Europe.

Following the decision by members of PvdA and GroenLinks to unite under a common political project, an important milestone for the Dutch progressive movement, members congratulated Jesse Klaver on the launch of Progressief Nederland (PRO) and reaffirmed the PES' support for a stronger, fairer and more progressive Netherlands.

Saar van Bueren, PES Deputy Secretary General, Yonnec Polet, PES Deputy Secretary General

Members also underlined the growing mobilisation of progressive forces in France. They noted the successful rally organised by Place Publique in Paris on 13 June, which brought together thousands of supporters as part of ongoing efforts to unite the French left ahead of the political challenges facing the country and Europe in the years ahead. Members also welcomed the efforts led by Raphaël Glucksmann and Place Publique to promote a common project founded on social justice, democracy and European cooperation.

The Presidency also thanked Maria João Rodrigues for her longstanding contribution as Chair of the PES Financial and Economic Network (FEN) and welcomed Aurore Lalucq, MEP and Chair European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), co-Chair of Place Publique, as the new Chair of the Network.

PES leadership also reviewed the current priorities of the PES family within the European institutions. They welcomed the Anti-Child Poverty Strategy launched by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and the ongoing preparations for a European Affordable Housing Act led by Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.

Thanassis Glavinas, PASOK, Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, Pascal Smet, Vooruit

Members also expressed concern over several recent corruption allegations involving the Greek government and underlined the importance of full transparency, accountability and the proper functioning of the rule of law. They stressed that democratic institutions must be able to investigate all allegations independently and effectively, and that public confidence can only be restored through full accountability.

Reaffirming the PES' unwavering commitment to democracy, freedom and the rule of law, the leaders expressed their full solidarity with the Republican People's Party (CHP), its democratically elected Chair Özgür Özel, and all Turkish citizens who continue to stand up for democracy. Members strongly condemned the recent attacks against the CHP, including attempts to overturn the democratic election of Özgür Özel as Chair and the police intervention at the party's headquarters in Ankara. They stressed that these actions represent a serious challenge to democratic norms, political pluralism and public trust in institutions. The Presidency underlined that the continued targeting of opposition parties, particularly the CHP and DEM Party (Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party), as well as elected representatives, journalists and civil society actors, reflects a broader deterioration of the rule of law in Türkiye and an alarming escalation of pressure on the democratic opposition.

Members expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. They called for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access and the delivery of aid at scale. They also condemned the continued expansion of illegal settlements and violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank, stressing that such actions must be stopped. They reaffirmed that a two-state solution remains the only viable path towards lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The PES Presidency reaffirmed its determination to continue building progressive momentum across Europe, defending democratic values and delivering solutions that improve people's lives.

Check the Presidency photos here.