On 6-8 December 2018, the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions will take part in the Congress of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in Lisbon, Portugal, where Frans Timmermans, current First Vice-President of the European Commission, will be officially confirmed as the PES Spitzenkandidat for the next Presidency of the European Commission.
The PES Group fully backed this candidature during the hearing with Frans Timmermans, held in Brussels on 26 November 2018. “As progressives, we must unite behind Frans Timmermans to win this election and give a clear signal to the world that we will not let populists and right-wing forces destroy the European Union. Cities, regions and their citizens need more Europe. At local level, every day we experience the added value of Europe and what it can deliver. As local and regional progressive leaders, we will support Frans Timmermansʼ battle for a European Union that guarantees social rights, creates equality and reinforces solidarity,” said PES Group President Catiuscia Marini, President of Umbria region, Italy.
The PES Group will participate in the work of the PES Congress with a gender balanced delegation led by President Marini. The PES Group has been closely involved in the elaboration of the Congress resolution, firmly anchoring the local and regional perspective in the texts that will serve as a basis for the PES Manifesto for the 2019 European elections.
