The Party of European Socialists in the European Committee of the Regions is united behind Frans Timmermans, as the PES family common candidate (Spitzenkandidat) for the European Parliament elections in 2019.
“We’re strongly united behind Frans Timmermans to fight together for a more inclusive and social Europe based on solidarity,” said our President Catiuscia Marini welcoming the announcement. “We thank Maroš Šefčovič for his positive campaign and his decision to support a common candidate to strengthen the unity of our political family.”
During the exchange organized by the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, Vice-President Christophe Rouillon asked Timmermans his position on the PES Group’s key priorities for the future of Europe, such as reinforcing solidarity and territorial cohesion in the European Union, safeguarding cohesion policy, fighting climate change together with local authorities, and bringing the European Union closer to its citizens, especially at local level, like the European Committee of the Regions did with its “Reflecting Europe” campaign. “European progressive cities and regions can play a crucial role in next year’s elections and in the future of the European Union too,” concluded Rouillon.
In his response to Rouillon, Timmermans reaffirmed his committment to reinforce territorial solidarity. He also praised the work of the European Committee of the Regions in the subsidiarity taskforce and said the needs of local and regional authorities need to be taken into account in terms of implementation of EU legislation. The PES Spitzenkandidat also acknowledged the fundamental role of local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change and wished a closer cooperation in leading this important transformational agenda that he would like to conduct as leader of a more political European Commission, for which sustainable development will be a key priority.
The PES Group will welcome Frans Timmermans for an exchange with its members at the European Committee of the Regions on Monday, November 26.
“We’re strongly united behind @TimmermansEU, our @PES_PSE #Spitzenkandidat to fight together for a more inclusive and social Europe based on solidarity.”
— PES Group CoR (@PES_CoR) November 6, 2018
President @CatiusciaMarini on behalf of @PES_CoR | #EP2019 #EuropeTogether pic.twitter.com/sbAz1sGsoK
