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The European Socialist Party (PES) has selected Nicola Schmidt as its main candidate for the EU elections amid concerns about the rise of far-right forces.
advertisementSchmidt, the current European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, received his mandate with applause at the end of the party’s congress in Rome on Saturday afternoon. The 70-year-old politician from Luxembourg took an undisputed lead in the party’s internal elections, as he was the only person nominated as a candidate.
“We will not allow Europe to go down the same path of austerity and social repression as it did during the financial crisis. This is the main argument, and this is why we want all 27 member states to work together and win the elections,” Schmidt said. he said. An audience member takes to the stage surrounded by young activists in La Nuvola, a suburb of Rome.
“I want voters to know that the Social Democratic Party will continue to fight for all people and will honor our commitments.”
As a result, Schmidt ends up confronting his boss. Ursula von der Leyena leading candidate for the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP).
Both are so-called Spitzenkandidaten Under the system, each party participating in the European Parliament elections is supposed to select a leading candidate for the presidency of the European Commission, the bloc’s most powerful and influential body. Some groups follow the template, while others ignore the template.
However, the upcoming election campaign will be very uneven. Ursula von der Leyen is the undisputed frontrunner, thanks to the strong reputation she has built through her first stint on the commission. Since then, she has spearheaded transformative policies to tackle climate change and the coronavirus. -19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy crisis, and China’s assertive actions.
Mr. Schimdt has kept a low profile since arriving in Brussels in 2019, when Mr. von der Leyen assigned him the portfolio on jobs and social rights. Some of his most notable projects include launching a €100 billion program for short-time working during the coronavirus lockdown and calling for the minimum wage to be set at an “appropriate level”. There were instructions to ensure this. His proposals to improve conditions for platform workers serving apps such as Uber, Deliveroo and Glovo are currently stalled in negotiations between member states. Almost on the brink of death.
Schmitt’s cabinet is one of the teams overseeing the freezing of EU funds for Hungary, citing deep flaws in the rule of law.commissioner faced the wrath of Congress Despite Viktor Orbán’s hostile attitude and civil society’s pleas, the chief executive released a €10.2 billion cohesion fund for Budapest. As of today, Hungary is still denied access to the Cohesion and Recovery Fund of approximately 21 billion euros.
Faced with PES executives including Germany’s Olaf Scholz, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, Portugal’s Antonio Costa and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, the anointed candidate will challenge his power base. We strive to build labor rights, gender equality, climate action and social justice.
“We are a movement that fights insecurity, especially the lives and jobs of young people,” he said. “We will fight for a Green Deal with red hearts.”
Still, there is virtually no chance that Schmidt will take over the commission. The Social Democratic Party (S&D), a group that includes PES members of the European Parliament, is expected to finish second in June’s elections. According to the latest estimates, european electorThe poll aggregator shows a significant gap between S&D (154 seats in 2019 to 140 seats in 2024) and EPP (182 to 180 seats).
“The very soul of Europe is at risk”
Even more worrying for socialists, the forecast also predicts a significant increase in the population. far-right and far-right partiesthat would tilt Half Cycle toward conservative ideas and away from the progressive causes favored by socialists.
During Ms von der Leyen’s first mandate, the grand coalition of EPP, S&D and Renew Europe liberals pledged to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality, curb excesses in the digital world and reform societies. It proved useful in driving a wide range of ambitious proposals.block of Immigration and asylum policyensure continued financial support for Ukraine, increase domestic production of cutting-edge technologies, and reduce dependence on unreliable supplier countries like Russia and China.
But last year, the EPP took a more confrontational stance against the Green Deal, one of the von der Leyen government’s flagship initiatives, claiming that multiple bills had been approved to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the grand coalition began to wobble. It has created excessive red tape in the private sector, making investment difficult and risking a loss of competitiveness.
The fierce battle over the Nature Recovery Act, a regulation designed to gradually restore the EU’s devastated ecosystems, has laid bare smoldering tensions between conservatives and socialists with scathing accusations and accusations. Ta. EPP will eventually lost that battlewhich has allowed the group to reposition itself as a “pro-business” and specifically “pro-peasant party,” but recent protests have only strengthened that position.
Von der Leyen’s resignation controversial law The goal of halving the use of chemical pesticides, an important source of nitrogen emissions, was warmly celebrated by EPP MPs last month. The move marked the first major defeat under the Green Deal.
In response to this ideological shift, socialists have stepped up their rhetoric, warning that the EPP is moving away from the mainstream center and normalizing far-right issues purely for electoral purposes. Socialist leaders said in Rome that alliances between mainstream conservatives and far-right groups in countries such as Italy, Sweden and Finland were evidence that the lines were becoming increasingly blurred.
“We will fight against those who spread hatred and division in society, those who incite fear and prepare for the return of nationalism,” Schmidt said. “The normalization of the far right, which we have also seen in the Netherlands, is dangerous and irresponsible.”
advertisementSpanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was looking forward to the “ghosts of the past” and a time that “didn’t exist” haunting European institutions.
“The far right is growing across Europe and in many places is supported by the traditional right, which emulates its arguments and populist methods,” Sanchez told parliament.
“The very soul of Europe is at risk, and once again it is up to us, the Social Democrats, to defeat that threat and ensure that history continues on the right track.”
Undaunted, socialists have joined forces to reclaim their heritage and have provided support in response to the recent crisis, including the €750 billion recovery fund, the joint procurement of coronavirus vaccines and the REPowerEU to diversify energy supplies. He argued that all major policy responses were influenced by: Social democracy.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: “This election is crucial for the future of Europe. It’s up to us to provide progressive and fair solutions.” Tax evasion and child poverty.
advertisement“Our next step is to demonstrate how social democratic goals of social justice, economic (equality), green ambition and security work together.”
European Parliament elections It will be held from June 6th to 9th. Around 350 million voters across 27 member states will be called to vote.
Immediately after the election, EU leaders are expected to gather for a key summit to share the bloc’s top jobs: European Commission president, European Council president and high representative for foreign and security policy.
With the European Commission now almost certain to land in the EPP camp, socialists will seek to secure the European Council Presidency, currently held by Belgian liberal politician Charles Michel. It is said that
This article has been updated with more information about PES Congress.
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