On Saturday, the Labour Party candidate Sadiq Khan has been elected mayor of London, defeating his Conservative and pro-Brexit rival Zac Goldsmith after what was seen as one of the most rancorous British electoral contests in recent years. Having won 1,310,143 votes, Mr Khan received the largest personal mandate of any politician in UK history.
Commenting on the outcome of the vote, PES Group President Catiuscia Marini said: "I warmly congratulate Sadiq on his decisive victory. A son of a working-class family with migrant background and extensive professional experience as human rights advocate is the best choice that Londoners could make because he embodies the values and vision needed to lead such a multicultural metropolis. I am convinced that Sadiq will be a frontrunner in promoting inclusive policies and tackling urgent challenges, such as the housing crisis and provision of affordable public transport, in order to make London a city fair for all", she stressed.
"Only few weeks ahead of the UK's EU membership referendum, the choice of a pro- European mayor, who firmly believes in the concept of 'being stronger together', is more important than ever before", the President concluded.
Sadiq Khan's victory was also warmly welcomed by other progressive capital city mayors, including Anne Hidalgo (Paris), Michael Müller (Berlin), Frank Jensen (Copenhagen) as well as PES members Giorgos Kaminis (Athens), and Michael Häupl (Vienna).
