Quote of the week by President Iratxe García:
“At this challenging time, it is more important than ever for the European Union to defend multilateralism, international law and the UN Charter. The UN system and humanitarian law were created after World War II precisely to prevent war and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. In every conflict, the UN, its Charter and its principles must be our roadmap to peace, security and human dignity.”
Upcoming events
From 9 - 11 November, we’ll be joining our progressive family in Málaga, Spain, for the 2023 PES Congress. We’ve got a series of events and discussions on the agenda, open to the media and the general public.
On Thursday, 9 November, we will meet with young people to discuss how they can make their voices heard. There will also be an exchange with youth representatives, politicians and specialists on the pressing issue of how to ensure decent and affordable housing for youth. At 19:00, President Iratxe García will launch our debate on the theme of Adelante Europe: Youth in Action. Doors open at 18:30.
The following day, we will tackle climate change in a discussion with decision makers. Vice-president Mohammed Chahim will open the debate with Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the Spanish Government and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal, Inter-institutional Relations and Foresight and Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.
On the last day, our Bureau members will hold a meeting on the Gender-Based Violence Directive, together with PES Women and representatives of member parties. Our Group is pushing for European rape legislation based on the lack of consent, as laid out in the Istanbul Convention and the gender-based violence directive. S&D Vice-President for gender equality Heléne Fritzon, and S&D negotiator for the gender-based violence directive Evin Incir, will be joined by PES Women President Zita Gurmai, a GREVIO representative, and other speakers.
The debate about EU Treaty change is back. The EU faces a radical new context: war on the continent, climate emergency, the rising cost of living, democracy under threat and enlargement in preparation. The need for stronger capacity to act is clear and the current Lisbon Treaty has its limits. Together with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), we are organising a symposium on “EU Treaties – Why they need targeted changes” on 16 November in the European Parliament.
For more information and to find out how to register, click here.
Upcoming activities
We’re gearing up for a Plenary session in Brussels, on 8 - 9 November. On the agenda: the state of the Energy Union, Euro7 emission standards for cars and the effectiveness of EU sanctions on Russia.
Next Wednesday, 8 November, the EU Commission will come to the plenary of the European Parliament to discuss the State of the Energy Union. As winter approaches, the S&D Group is convinced this is one of the most pressing issues for European citizens and businesses. Vice-President Mohammed Chahim believes that – although the worst effects of the energy crisis are now behind us – the State of the Energy Union Report highlights there is no room for complacency. The EU needs to ensure clean, affordable, reliable and accessible energy for all to combat energy poverty. The S&D Group wants to enhance the industrial and economic competitiveness of the EU industry, while highlighting the need for the EU to further accelerate and support investments in clean technologies. It remains essential to increase interconnectivity between member states and to improve energy grids to make them future proof.
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