Party of European Socialists

European political party

This article is about the europarty established in 1992. For the Socialists & Democrats Group in the European Parliament, see Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.

Party of European Socialists

File:Logo of the Party of European Socialists.png
President| Stefan Löfven (SE)
Secretary-General| Achim Post (DE)
Founded| 1973 (Confederation)
9–10 November 1992 (Party)
Headquarters| Rue Guimard 10, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Think tank| Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Youth wing| Young European Socialists
Women's wing| PES Women
Ideology| Social democracy[1][2]
Pro-Europeanism
Political position| Centre-left[2][3]
International affiliation| Progressive Alliance[4]
Socialist International[5]
European Parliament group| Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Colours|  Red
European Parliament|

145 / 705

European Council|

7 / 27

European Commission|

9 / 27

European Lower Houses|

2,327 / 9,874

European Upper Houses|

645 / 2,714

Website
pes.eu

* Politics of European Union
* Political parties
* Elections

The Party of European Socialists (PES) is a social democratic European political party.[6]

The PES comprises national-level political parties from all member states of the European Union (EU) plus Norway and the United Kingdom. This includes major parties such as the Social Democratic Party of Germany, the French Socialist Party, the British Labour Party, the Italian Democratic Party and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. Parties from a number of other European countries and from the Mediterranean region are also admitted to the PES as associate or observer parties.[7] Most member, associate and observer parties are members of the wider Progressive Alliance or Socialist International.[4][5]

The PES is currently led by its president Stefan Löfven, a former Prime Minister of Sweden. Its political group in the European Parliament is the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). The PES also operates in the European Committee of the Regions (in the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions) and the European Council.

## Contents

* 1 Name
* 2 History
* 2.1 1960s
* 2.2 1970s
* 2.3 1980s
* 2.4 1990s
* 2.5 2000s
* 2.6 2010s
* 3 Organisation
* 3.1 Member parties
* 3.2 Constituent organisations
* 3.3 International memberships
* 3.4 President and Presidency
* 3.5 Governance
* 3.6 European election primaries
* 4 PES in the European institutions
* 4.1 Overview of the European institutions
* 4.2 European Parliament
* 4.3 European Commission
* 4.4 European Council
* 4.5 In third countries
* 4.6 European Council and Council of Ministers
* 4.6.1 Overview
* 4.7 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
* 4.8 Committee of the Regions
* 5 References
* 6 External links

## Name[edit | edit source]

The party's English name is "Party of European Socialists". In addition, the following names are used in other languages:

* Albanian: Partia e Socialistëve Europianë
* Bosnian: Stranka europskih socijalista
* Bulgarian: Партия на европейските социалисти
* Croatian: Stranka europskih socijalista
* Czech: Strana evropských socialistů
* Danish: De Europæiske Socialdemokrater
* Dutch: Partij van Europese Socialisten
* Estonian: Euroopa Sotsialistlik Partei
* Finnish: Euroopan sosialidemokraattinen puolue
* French: Parti socialiste européen
* German: Sozialdemokratische Partei Europas
* Greek: Ευρωπαϊκό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα
* Hungarian: Európai Szocialisták Pártja
* Icelandic: Flokkur evrópskra sósíalista
* Irish: Páirtí na Sóisialaithe Eorpach
* Italian: Partito del Socialismo Europeo
* Latvian: Eiropas Sociāldemokrātiskā partija
* Lithuanian: Europos socialistų partija
* Luxembourgish: Partei vun den Europäesche Sozialisten
* Macedonian: Партија на европските социјалисти
* Maltese: Partit tas-Soċjalisti Ewropej
* Norwegian: Det europeiske sosialdemokratiske partiet
* Polish: Partia Europejskich Socjalistów
* Portuguese: Partido Socialista Europeu
* Romanian: Partidul Socialiștilor Europeni
* Serbian: Партија европских социјалиста
* Slovak: Strana európskych socialistov
* Slovene: Stranka evropskih socialistov
* Spanish: Partido Socialista Europeo
* Swedish: Europeiska socialdemokratiska partiet
* Turkish: Avrupa Sosyalistler Partisi

In March 2014 following the congress in Rome, the PES added the tagline "Socialists and Democrats" to its name following the admission of Italy's Democratic Party into the organisation.[8]

## History[edit | edit source]

### 1960s[edit | edit source]

In 1961, the Socialists in the European Parliament attempted to produce a common 'European Socialist Programme' but this was neglected due to the applications of Britain, Denmark, Ireland and Norway to join the European Community. The Socialists' 1962 congress pushed for greater democratisation and powers for Parliament, though it was only in 1969 that this possibility was examined by the member states.[9]

### 1970s[edit | edit source]

In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the European Community, bringing in new parties from these countries. The enlarged Socialist Congress met in Bonn and inaugurated the Confederation of the Socialist Parties of the European Community. The Congress also passed a resolution on social policy, including the right to decent work, social security, democracy and equality in the European economy.[10] In 1978, the Confederation of Socialist Parties approved the first common European election Manifesto. It focused on several goals among which the most important were to ensure a right to decent work, fight pollution, end discrimination, protect the consumer and promote peace, human rights and civil liberties.

### 1980s[edit | edit source]

At its Luxembourg Congress in 1980, the Confederation of Socialist Parties approved its first Statute. The accession of Greece to the EU in 1981, followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986, brought in more parties.

In 1984, a common Socialist election manifesto proposed a socialist remedy for the economic crisis of the time by establishing a link between industrial production, protection of fundamental social benefits, and the fight for an improved quality of life.[10]

### 1990s[edit | edit source]

In 1992, with the European Community becoming the European Union and with the Treaty of Maastricht establishing the framework for political parties at a European level, the Confederation of Socialist Parties voted to transform itself into the Party of European Socialists. The party's first programme concentrated on job creation, democracy, gender equality, environmental and consumer protection, peace and security, regulation of immigration, discouragement of racism and fighting organised crime.[10]

Along with the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, the founding members of the PES were:[11]

* Social Democratic Party of Austria
* Socialist Party (Francophone) and the Socialist Party (Flemish) of Belgium
* Social Democrats of Denmark
* Socialist Party of France
* Social Democratic Party of Germany
* Panhellenic Socialist Movement of Greece
* Labour Party of Ireland
* Italian Democratic Socialist Party, Italian Socialist Party and Democratic Party of the Left of Italy
* Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
* Labour Party of the Netherlands
* Socialist Party of Portugal
* Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
* Swedish Social Democratic Party
* Labour Party and Social Democratic and Labour Party of the UK

### 2000s[edit | edit source]

In 2004 Poul Nyrup Rasmussen defeated Giuliano Amato to be elected President of the PES, succeeding Robin Cook in the post. He was re-elected for a further 2.5 years at the PES Congress in Porto on 8 December 2006 and again at the Prague Congress in 2009.

### 2010s[edit | edit source]

In 2010, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies was founded as the political foundation (think tank) of the PES.

Mr Rasmussen stood down at the PES Progressive Convention in Brussels on 24 November 2011. He was replaced as interim president by Sergey Stanishev, at the time chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and former prime minister of Bulgaria.

On 28–29 September 2012, the PES Congress in Brussels[12] Congress elected interim president Sergey Stanishev as full President, as well as four deputies: Jean-Christophe Cambadélis (1st Vice-President – PS), Elena Valenciano (PSOE), Jan Royall (Labour) and Katarína Neveďalová (Smer-SD). The same Congress elected Achim Post (SPD) as its new secretary general, and adopted a process which it described as "democratic and transparent" for electing its next candidate for Commission President in 2014.[13] Sergey Stanishev was re-elected PES President on 22–23 June 2015 in Budapest. The Congress also approved Achim Post (SPD) as the Secretary-General as well as the four Vice-Presidents: Jean-Christophe Cambadélis (PS), Carin Jämtin (Swedish Social Democratic Party), Katarína Neveďalová (Smer-SD) and Jan Royall (Labour).

On 7–8 December 2018, the PES Congress gathered in Lisbon to elect its leadership. Sergey Stanishev was confirmed as party President and Achim Post (SPD) as secretary general. Iratxe García (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) was elected by the new presidency 1st Vice-President of the PES and Francisco André (Socialist Party (Portugal)), Katarína Neveďalová (Smer-SD) and Marita Ulvskog (Swedish Social Democratic Party) were elected PES Vice-Presidents. During the PES Presidency of October 2019, Heléne Fritzon (Swedish Social Democratic Party) became PES Vice-President, replacing Marita Ulvskog.

## Organisation[edit | edit source]

Part of a series on

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File:Red rose 02.svg

History

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Organizations

* International Trade Union Confederation
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By region

* Austria
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Related

* Communism
* "The Internationale"
* Socialism
* Types of socialism

* '
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* v
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* e

### Member parties[edit | edit source]

The PES has thirty-three full member parties from each of the twenty-seven EU member states, Norway and the UK. There are a further twelve associate and twelve observer parties from other European countries.[14]

State | Name | abbr. | MEPs | National MPs

|
|
|
|

File:Flag of Austria.svg Austria | Social Democratic Party of Austria
Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs | SPÖ  |

5 / 19

40 / 183

19 / 62

File:Flag of Belgium.svg Belgium | Socialist Party
Parti socialiste | PS  |

2 / 8

[. 1] |

19 / 63

7 / 24

[. 1]
Forward, Socialist Movement
Vooruit, socialistische beweging | Vooruit  |

1 / 13

[. 2] |

9 / 87

4 / 35

[. 2]
File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria | Bulgarian Socialist Party
Българска социалистическа партия
Bulgarska sotsialisticheska partiya | BSP  |

5 / 17

26 / 240

Croatia | Social Democratic Party of Croatia
Socijaldemokratska partija Hrvatske | SDP  |

4 / 12

13 / 151

File:Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus | Movement for Social Democracy
Κίνημα Σοσιαλδημοκρατών
Kinima Sosialdimokraton | EDEK  |

1 / 6

4 / 56

File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic | Czech Social Democratic Party
Česká strana sociálně demokratická | ČSSD  |

1 / 21

0 / 200

3 / 81

File:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark | Social Democrats
Socialdemokraterne | A  |

3 / 14

49 / 179

File:Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia | Social Democratic Party
Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond | SDE  |

2 / 7

9 / 101

File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland | Social Democratic Party of Finland
Suomen sosialidemokraattinen puolue
Finlands socialdemokratiska parti | SDP  |

2 / 14

40 / 200

File:Flag of France.svg France | Socialist Party
Parti socialiste | PS  |

6 / 79

65 / 348

28 / 577

File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany | Social Democratic Party of Germany
Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands | SPD  |

16 / 96

206 / 735

(Bundestag)

19 / 69

(Bundesrat)
File:Flag of Greece.svg Greece | Panhellenic Socialist Movement - Movement for Change
Πανελλήνιο Σοσιαλιστικό Κίνημα - Κίνημα Αλλαγής
Panellínio Sosialistikó Kínima– Kínima Allagís | PASOK-KINAL  |

2 / 21

23 / 300

File:Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary | Hungarian Socialist Party
Magyar Szocialista Párt | MSZP  |

1 / 21

10 / 199

File:Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland | Labour Party
Páirtí an Lucht Oibre | Lab  |

0 / 13

4 / 60

7 / 160

File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy | Democratic Party
Partito Democratico | PD  |

18 / 76

39 / 315

96 / 630

Italian Socialist Party
Partito Socialista Italiano | PSI  |

0 / 76

1 / 315

1 / 630

File:Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia | Social Democratic Party "Harmony"[15]
Sociāldemokrātiskā partija "Saskaņa" | SDPS  |

2 / 8

18 / 100

File:Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania | Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
Lietuvos socialdemokratų partija | LSDP  |

2 / 11

12 / 141

File:Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg | Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei
Parti ouvrier socialiste luxembourgeois
Luxemburger Sozialistische Arbeiterpartei | LSAP  |

1 / 6

10 / 60

File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta | Labour Party
Partit Laburista | PL  |

4 / 6

38 / 69

File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands | Labour Party
Partij van de Arbeid | PvdA  |

6 / 29

6 / 75

9 / 150

Norway | Labour Party
Arbeiderpartiet | AP  | Not in EU |

48 / 169

File:Flag of Poland.svg Poland | New Left
Nowa Lewica | NL  |

4 / 52

0 / 100

38 / 460

Labour Union
Unia Pracy | UP  |

0 / 52

0 / 100

0 / 460

File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal | Socialist Party
Partido Socialista | PS  |

9 / 21

120 / 230

File:Flag of Romania.svg Romania | Social Democratic Party
Partidul Social Democrat | PSD  |

8 / 33

47 / 136

109 / 330

File:Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia | Direction – Social Democracy
Smer – sociálna demokracia | Smer-SD  |

3 / 14

27 / 150

File:Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia | Social Democrats
Socialni demokrati | SD  |

2 / 8

7 / 90

File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Partido Socialista Obrero Español | PSOE  |

21 / 58

113 / 265

120 / 350

File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden | Swedish Social Democratic Party
Sveriges socialdemokratiska arbetareparti | SAP  |

5 / 21

107 / 349

File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom | Labour Party | Lab (GB)  | Not in EU |

168 / 794

199 / 632

Social Democratic and Labour Party
Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre | SDLP (NI)  | Not in EU |

0 / 794

2 / 18

Associated parties

State | Name | abbr. | European MPs | National MPs
File:Flag of Albania.svg Albania | Socialist Party of Albania
Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë | PSS |  |

74 / 140

Bosnia and Herzegovina | Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socijaldemokratska partija Bosne i Hercegovine | SDP |  |

1 / 15

5 / 42

File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria | Party of Bulgarian Social Democrats
партия Български социалдемократи
Partiya Bulgarski Sotsialdemokrati | PBS |

0 / 17

1 / 240

File:Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland | Social Democratic Alliance
Samfylkingin | Samf. |  |

7 / 63

File:Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova | Democratic Party of Moldova
Partidul Democrat din Moldova | PDM |  |

0 / 101

File:Flag of Montenegro.svg Montenegro | Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro
Demokratska partija socijalista Crne Gore | DPS |  |

29 / 81

Social Democratic Party of Montenegro
Socijaldemokratska partija Crne Gore | SDP |  |

2 / 81

File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg North Macedonia | Social Democratic Union of Macedonia
Социјалдемократски сојуз на Македонија
Socijaldemokratski Sojuz na Makedonija | SDSM |  |

49 / 120

Serbia | Democratic Party
Демократска странка
Demokratska stranka | DS |  |

10 / 250

File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland | Social Democratic Party of Switzerland
Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz
Parti socialiste suisse
Partito Socialista Svizzero
Partida Socialdemocrata de la Svizra | SP/PS |  |

39 / 200

9 / 46

File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey | Republican People's Party
Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi | CHP |  |

135 / 600

Peoples' Democratic Party
Halkların Demokratik Partisi
Partiya Demokratîk a Gelan | HDP |  |

56 / 600

Observer parties

State | Name | abbr. | European MPs | National MPs
File:Flag of Andorra.svg Andorra | Social Democratic Party
Partit Socialdemòcrata | PS |  |

3 / 28

File:Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia | Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Հայ Յեղափոխական Դաշնակցութիւն
Hay Yeghap’vokhakan Dashnakts’ut’iwn | ARF |  |

10 / 107

File:Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt | Egyptian Social Democratic Party
الحزب المصرى الديمقراطى الاجتماعى
al-Ḥizb al-Maṣrī al-Dimuqrāṭī al-Ijtmāʿī | ESDP |  |

4 / 596

File:Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia | Georgian Dream
ქართული ოცნება – დემოკრატიული საქართველო
Kartuli ocneba – Demok’rat’iuli Sakartvelo |  |  |

84 / 150

File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel | Israeli Labor Party
מִפְלֶגֶת הָעֲבוֹדָה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִית
Mifleget HaAvoda HaIsraelit | אמת  |  |

7 / 120

Meretz
מֶרֶצ
Meretz | מרצ |  |

6 / 120

File:Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia | Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party
Latvijas Sociāldemokrātiskā strādnieku partija | LSDSP |

0 / 8

0 / 100

File:Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco | Socialist Union of Popular Forces
الاتحاد الاشتراكي للقوات الشعبية
Al-Ittihad Al-Ishtirakiy Lilqawat Al-Sha'abiyah
Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires | USFP |  |

24 / 270

20 / 395

File:Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg Northern Cyprus | Republican Turkish Party
Cumhuriyetçi Türk Partisi | CTP |  |

12 / 50

File:Flag of Palestine.svg Palestine | Fatah
فتح
Fatḥ | فتح |  |

45 / 132

File:Flag of San Marino.svg San Marino | Party of Socialists and Democrats
Partito dei Socialisti e dei Democratici | PSD |  |

3 / 60

File:Flag of Tunisia.svg Tunisia | Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties
التكتل الديمقراطي من أجل العمل والحريات
at-Takattul ad-Dīmuqrāṭī min ajl il-‘Amal wal-Ḥurriyyāt
Forum démocratique pour le travail et les libertés | FDTL |  |

0 / 217

1. ^ a b French-speaking seats
2. ^ a b Flemish seats

### Constituent organisations[edit | edit source]

The youth organisation of the PES is the Young European Socialists. PES Women is the party's women's organisation, led by Zita Gurmai. The LGBTI campaign organisation is Rainbow Rose.[16]

### International memberships[edit | edit source]

PES is an associated organisation of Socialist International and the Progressive Alliance.

### President and Presidency[edit | edit source]

The President (currently former Prime Minister of Bulgaria Sergey Stanishev) represents the party on a daily basis and chairs the Presidency, which also consists of the Secretary General, President of the S&D group in Parliament and one representative per full/associate member party and organisation. They may also be joined by the President of the European Parliament (if a PES member), a PES European Commissioner and a representative from associate parties and organisations.[16]

The list below shows PES presidents and the presidents of its predecessors.[17]

President  | State  | National party  | Term  | Photo

|
|
|
|

1\.  | Wilhelm Dröscher | File:Flag of Germany.svg West Germany  | Social Democratic Party of Germany | April 1974  | January 1979  | File:No image.svg
2\.  | Robert Pontillon | File:Flag of France.svg France  | Socialist Party | January 1979  | March 1980  | File:No image.svg
3\.  | Joop den Uyl | File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands  | Labour Party | March 1980  | May 1987  | File:Joop den Uyl 1975.jpg
4\.  | Vítor Constâncio | File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal  | Socialist Party | May 1987  | January 1989  | File:Vítor Constâncio 2017 (cropped).jpg
5\.  | Guy Spitaels |  Belgium  | Socialist Party | February 1989  | May 1992  | File:No image.svg
6\.  | Willy Claes |  Belgium  | Socialist Party | November 1992  | October 1994  | File:Willy Claes - Filip Naudts.jpg
7\.  | Rudolf Scharping | File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany  | Social Democratic Party of Germany | March 1995  | May 2001  | File:Scharping.jpg
8\.  | Robin Cook | File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom  | Labour Party | May 2001  | 24 April 2004  | File:Robin Cook-close crop.jpg
9\.  | Poul Nyrup Rasmussen | File:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark  | Social Democrats | 24 April 2004  | 24 November 2011  | File:Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Danmarks tidigare statsminister, numera EU-parlamentariker.jpg
10\.  | Sergey Stanishev | File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria  | Bulgarian Socialist Party | 24 November 2011  | 14 October 2022  | File:Sergey Stanishev 2009 elections diff crop.jpg
11\.  | Stefan Löfven | File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden  | Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party | 14 October 2022  | \-  |

File:Stefan Löfven (cropped).jpg

### Governance[edit | edit source]

The parties meet at the party Congress twice every five years to decide on political orientation, such as adopting manifestos ahead of elections. Every year that the Congress does not meet, the Council (a smaller version of the Congress) shapes PES policy. The Congress also elects the party's President, Vice-Presidents and the Presidency.[16]

The Leader's Conference brings together Prime Ministers and Party Leaders from PES parties three to four times a year to agree strategies and resolutions.[16]

### European election primaries[edit | edit source]

In December 2009, the PES decided to put forward a candidate for Commission President at all subsequent elections.[18] On 1 March 2014, the PES organised for the first time a European election Congress where a Common Manifesto[19] was adopted and the Common Candidate designate for the post of Commission President, Martin Schulz, was elected by over a thousand participants in Rome, Italy. In 2019, progressives elected Frans Timmermans as PES Common Candidate to the European Elections, during the Election Congress in Madrid on 22–23 February 2019.

## PES in the European institutions[edit | edit source]

### Overview of the European institutions[edit | edit source]

Organisation | Institution | Number of seats

|
|

File:Flag of Europe.svg European Union | European Parliament |

148 / 751

Committee of the Regions |

131 / 350

European Commission |

9 / 27

European Council
(Heads of Government) |

7 / 27

Council of the European Union
(Participation in Government) |

13 / 27

File:Flag of the Council of Europe.svg Council of Europe | Parliamentary Assembly |

69 / 318

### European Parliament[edit | edit source]

Further information: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

### European Commission[edit | edit source]

European Commissioners are meant to remain independent, however there has been an increasing degree of politicisation within the Commission.[20] In the current European Commission, nine of the Commissioners belong to the PES family.

Portfolio | Commissioner | State | Political party  | Photo

|
|
|
|

First Vice President and Executive Vice President;

European Green Deal

| Frans Timmermans |

File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg
Netherlands

| PvdA | File:(Frans Timmermans) Hearing of Frans Timmermans (the Netherlands) - Executive Vice President-Designate - European Green Deal (48866429362) (cropped).jpg
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy | Josep Borrell |

File:Flag of Spain.svg
Spain

| PSOE | File:(Josep Borrell) Hearing of Josep Borrell, High Representative Vice President-designate, A stronger Europe in the World (48859228793) (cropped).jpg
Vice-President;
Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight  | Maroš Šefčovič |

File:Flag of Slovakia.svg
Slovakia

| Smer-SD | File:Maroš Šefčovič MSC 2017 (cropped).jpg
Jobs and Social Rights  | Nicolas Schmit |

File:Flag of Luxembourg.svg
Luxembourg

| LSAP

| File:Informal meeting of ministers for employment, social affairs, family and gender equality (iEPSCO). Handshake and welcome Jevgeni Ossinovski, Nicolas Schmit and Kaia Iva (35979354896) - CROP SCHMIT.jpg
Economy  | Paolo Gentiloni |

File:Flag of Italy.svg
Italy

| PD | File:Paolo Gentiloni EP Parliament (cropped).jpg
Cohesion and Reforms  | Elisa Ferreira |

File:Flag of Portugal.svg
Portugal

| PS | File:Hearings with Elisa Ferreira (PT), candidate commissioner for cohesion and reforms (48833172086) (cropped).jpg
Equality  | Helena Dalli |

File:Flag of Malta.svg
Malta

| PL | File:Hearing with Helena Dalli (MT), candidate commissioner for equality (48832245446) (cropped).jpg
Home Affairs  | Ylva Johansson |

File:Flag of Sweden.svg
Sweden

| S | File:Ylva Johansson 2014.jpg
International Partnerships  | Jutta Urpilainen |

File:Flag of Finland.svg
Finland

| SDP | File:Jutta Urpilainen (cropped).jpg

### European Council[edit | edit source]

Of the 27 heads of state and government that are members of the European Council, 7 are from the PES, and therefore regularly attend PES summits to prepare for European Council meetings.

Member State  | Representative  | Title  | Political party  | Member of the Council since  | Photo

|
|
|
|
|

File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal | António Costa | Prime Minister | Socialist Party | 26 November 2015 | File:António Costa (2014).jpg
File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain | Pedro Sánchez | Prime Minister | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party | 2 June 2018  | 100x
File:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark | Mette Frederiksen | Prime Minister | Social Democrats | 27 June 2019  | File:Метте Фредериксен (51653707252).jpg
File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland | Sanna Marin | Prime Minister | Social Democratic Party of Finland | 10 December 2019 | File:Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki 4.10.2021 (51550103499) (cropped).jpg
File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta | Robert Abela | Prime Minister | Labour Party | 13 January 2020 | File:Außenminister Alexander Schallenberg in Malta 14.06.2021 01 (cropped).jpg
File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden | Magdalena Andersson | Prime Minister | Social Democratic Party | 30 November 2021  | File:Magdalena Andersson in 2022 (cropped).jpg
File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany | Olaf Scholz | Chancellor | Social Democratic Party of Germany | 8 December 2021  | File:Sánchez se reunió con el nuevo canciller alemán Olaf Scholz en La Moncloa 20220117 (8) (cropped).jpg

### In third countries[edit | edit source]

Through its associate and observer parties the PES has eight head of state or government in non-EU countries:

State  | Representatives  | Title  | Political party  | In power since  | Portrait

|
|
|
|
|

Norway | Jonas Gahr Støre | Prime Minister | A/Ap | 14 October 2021  | File:Jonas Gahr Støre - 25061469895 (cropped).jpg
File:Flag of Albania.svg Albania | Edi Rama | Prime Minister | PS | 13 September 2013  | File:Edi Rama - Feb2020.jpg
File:Flag of Montenegro.svg Montenegro | Milo Đukanović | President | DPS | 20 May 2018  | File:Milo Đukanović at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg
File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg North Macedonia | Stevo Pendarovski | President | SDSM | 12 May 2019  | File:Stevo Pendarovski in January 2018.jpg
File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg North Macedonia | Dimitar Kovačevski | Prime Minister | SDSM | 16 January 2022  | File:Dimitar Kovachevski official portrait 2020 (cropped).jpg
File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland | Simonetta Sommaruga | Councillor | SP | 1 November 2010  | File:Simonetta Sommaruga 2016.jpg
File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland | Alain Berset | Councillor | SP | 1 January 2012  | File:Alain Berset (2008).jpg
File:Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia | Irakli Garibashvili | Prime Minister | Georgian Dream | 22 February 2021  | File:Irakli Garibashvili 2013. 2 (cropped).jpg

### European Council and Council of Ministers[edit | edit source]

The states of the European Union by the European affiliations of their leaders, as of 28 April 2026 Does not account for coalitions. Key to colours is as follows:  European People's Party (9) (AT, CY, DE, GR, HR, LV, RO, SI, SK)  Party of European Socialists (6) (DK, ES, FI, MT, PT, SE)  Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (6) (BE, CZ, EE, IE, LU, NL)  Independent (5) (BG, FR, HU, IT, LT)  European Conservatives and Reformists Party (1) (PL)

Party-alignment at the European Council is often loose, but has been the basis of some intergovernmental cooperation. At present seven countries are led by a PES-affiliated leader, who represents that state at the European Council: Germany (Olaf Scholz), Spain (Pedro Sánchez), Portugal (António Costa), Malta (Robert Abela), Denmark (Mette Frederiksen), Finland (Sanna Marin) and Sweden (Stefan Löfven).

The makeup of national delegations to the Council of Ministers is at some times subject to coalitions: for the above governments led by a PES party, that party may not be present in all Council configurations; in other governments led by non-PES parties a PES minister may be its representative for certain portfolios. PES is in coalition in the following countries: Italy, Luxembourg and Romania.

#### Overview[edit | edit source]

State  | Governing parties  | Affiliated EU party  | Population

|
|
|

File:Flag of Germany.svg Germany | Social Democratic Party
Alliance 90/The Greens
Free Democratic Party | PES
EGP
ALDE | 83,166,711
File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy | Five Star Movement
League
Democratic Party
Forza Italia
Italia Viva
Free and Equal | None
IDP
PES
EPP
EDP
None | 60,317,116
File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Podemos
United Left
Catalonia in Common | PES
NTP!
PEL
None | 47,431,256
File:Flag of Romania.svg Romania | Social Democratic Party
National Liberal Party
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania | PES
EPP
EPP | 19,186,201
File:Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal | Socialist Party | PES | 10,341,330
File:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden | Swedish Social Democratic Party
Green Party | PES
EGP | 10,343,403
File:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark | Social Democrats | PES | 5,824,857
File:Flag of Finland.svg Finland | Social Democratic Party of Finland
Centre Party
Green League
Left Alliance
Swedish People's Party of Finland | PES
ALDE
EGP
PEL
ALDE | 5,528,737
File:Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg | Democratic Party
Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
The Greens | ALDE
PES
EGP | 626,108
File:Flag of Malta.svg Malta | Labour Party | PES | 514,564

### Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe[edit | edit source]

Further information: Socialist Group

### Committee of the Regions[edit | edit source]

PES has 122 members in the Committee of the Regions as of 2014.[21]

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "European Union". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
2. ^ a b Richard Dunphy (2004). Contesting Capitalism?: Left Parties and European Integration. Manchester University Press. p. 103\. ISBN 978-0-7190-6804-1.
3. ^ John Pinder, Simon Usherwood (2013). The European Union: A Very Short Introduction. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-1915-03931.
4. ^ a b "Member parties of the Progressive Alliance". 1 February 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
5. ^ a b "Member parties of Socialist International". 1 February 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
6. ^ Robert Thomson (2011). Resolving Controversy in the European Union: Legislative Decision-Making Before and After Enlargement. Cambridge University Press. p. 14\. ISBN 978-1-139-50517-8. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
7. ^ "Member parties of the PES". 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
8. ^ "Il PSE "omaggia "il PD cambiando ufficialmente nome: PSE – Socialists&Democrats" (in Italian). 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
9. ^ "Northern European Social Democracy and European Integration, 1960–1972. Moving towards a New Consensus?". Consensus and European Integration- Consensus et Intégration Européenne. Academia.edu. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
10. ^ a b c "History". Socialist Group website. Archived from the original on 1 November 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
11. ^ Skrzypek, Ania (2013). "Europe, Our Common Future" Celebrating 20 years of the Party of European Socialists (PDF). Belgium: FEPS – Foundation for European Progressive Studies. ISBN 978-3-85464-037-0. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
12. ^ "Together for the Europe we need!". Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
13. ^ "Ethics in politics : For strong moral conduct through a strong moral code" (PDF). PES Presidency declaration. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
14. ^ "About the PES?". PES website. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
15. ^ "Saskaņa joins Party of European Socialists". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. LETA. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
16. ^ a b c d "How does PES work?". PES website. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
17. ^ "Former PES Presidents". PES website. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
18. ^ "A New Direction for Progressive Societies. Resolution N. 2 A new way forward. Adopted by the 8th PES Congress" (PDF). PES. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
19. ^ "PES Manifesto Towards a New Europe. Adopted by Election Congress 2014 in Rome" (PDF). PES. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
20. ^ Mahony, Honor (7 May 2007). "Brussels struggles with communication policy". EU Observer. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
21. ^ "PES Group Members". Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2015.

## External links[edit | edit source]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Party of European Socialists.

* Party of European Socialists, official website
* Parliamentary Group of the Party of European Socialists, official website
* European Youth Plan campaign, official website
* PES Group in the Committee of the Regions, official website

* v
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* e

Party of European Socialists (PES)

European Parliament group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

Parties|

| Member states|

* File:Flag of Austria.svg SPÖ
* File:Flag of Belgium.svg PS
* V
* File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg BSP/БСП
* File:Flag of Croatia.svg SDP
* File:Flag of Cyprus.svg EDEK/ΕΔΕΚ
* File:Flag of the Czech Republic.svg ČSSD
* File:Flag of Denmark.svg A
* File:Flag of Estonia.svg SDE
* File:Flag of Finland.svg SDP
* File:Flag of France.svg PS
* File:Flag of Germany.svg SPD
* File:Flag of Greece.svg PA.SO.K./ΠΑ.ΣΟ.Κ.
* File:Flag of Hungary.svg MSZP
* File:Flag of Ireland.svg Lab
* File:Flag of Italy.svg PD
* PSI
* File:Flag of Latvia.svg Saskaņa
* File:Flag of Lithuania.svg LSDP
* File:Flag of Luxembourg.svg LSAP
* File:Flag of Malta.svg PL
* File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg PvdA
* File:Flag of Poland.svg NL
* UP
* File:Flag of Portugal.svg PS
* File:Flag of Romania.svg PSD
* File:Flag of Slovakia.svg SMER-SD
* File:Flag of Slovenia.svg SD
* File:Flag of Spain.svg PSOE
* File:Flag of Sweden.svg SAP

|

Member parties (non-EU)|

* File:Flag of Norway.svg AP
* File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lab
* SDLP

Associated parties (EU)|

* File:Flag of Bulgaria.svg PBSD/БСДП

Associated parties (non-EU)|

* File:Flag of Albania.svg PS
* File:Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg SDP BiH
* File:Flag of Iceland.svg S
* File:Flag of Kosovo.svg VV
* File:Flag of Montenegro.svg DPS
* SDP
* File:Flag of North Macedonia.svg SDSM/СДСМ
* File:Flag of Serbia.svg DS
* File:Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg SP/PS
* File:Flag of Turkey.svg CHP
* HDP

Observer parties (EU)|

* File:Flag of Latvia.svg LSDSP

Observer parties (non-EU)|

* File:Flag of Andorra.svg PS
* File:Flag of Armenia.svg ARF
* File:Flag of Egypt.svg ESDP/الديمقراطي
* File:Flag of Georgia.svg GD
* File:Flag of Israel.svg HaAvoda/העבודה
* Meretz/מרצ
* File:Flag of Moldova.svg PDM
* File:Flag of Morocco.svg USPT
* File:Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg CTP
* File:Flag of Palestine.svg Fatah/فتح
* File:Flag of San Marino.svg PSD
* File:Flag of Tunisia.svg FDTL

Presidents|

* Wilhelm Dröscher
* Robert Pontillon
* Joop den Uyl
* Vítor Constâncio
* Guy Spitaels
* Willy Claes
* Rudolf Scharping
* Robin Cook
* Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
* Sergei Stanishev

Leaders in the
European Parliament|

* Guy Mollet
* Hendrik Fayat
* Pierre Lapie
* Willi Birkelbach
* Käte Strobel
* Francis Vals
* Georges Spénale
* Ludwig Spénale
* Ernest Glinne
* Rudi Arndt
* Jean-Pierre Cot
* Pauline Green
* Enrique Barón Crespo
* Martin Schulz
* Hannes Swoboda
* Gianni Pittella
* Udo Bullmann
* Iratxe García

* * *

European Commissioners|

* Josep Borrell (VP and High Representative of the Union)
* Helena Dalli (Equality)
* Elisa Ferreira (Cohesion and Reforms)
* Paolo Gentiloni (Economy)
* Ylva Johansson (Home Affairs)
* Nicolas Schmit (Jobs)
* Maroš Šefčovič (VP for Interinstitutional Relations)
* Frans Timmermans (Executive VP for European Green Deal and Climate Action)
* Jutta Urpilainen (International Partnerships)
* see Von der Leyen Commission

Heads of government|

* Olaf Scholz (Germany)
* Mette Frederiksen (Denmark)
* Sanna Marin (Finland)
* Robert Abela (Malta)
* António Costa (Portugal)
* Pedro Sánchez (Spain)
* Magdalena Andersson (Sweden)
* Dimitar Kovačevski (North Macedonia)

Heads of state|

* Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Germany)
* George Vella (Malta)
* Borut Pahor (Slovenia)
* Michael D. Higgins (Ireland)
* Zoran Milanović (Croatia)
* Milo Đukanović (Montenegro)
* Stevo Pendarovski (North Macedonia)

* v
* t
* e

Pan-European political organisations

Political parties
recognised by the EU

| Current|

* European Conservatives and Reformists Party
* Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
* European Christian Political Movement
* European Democratic Party
* European Free Alliance
* European Green Party
* European People's Party
* Identity and Democracy Party
* Party of European Socialists
* Party of the European Left

|

Defunct|

* Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe
* Alliance for Europe of the Nations
* Alliance of Independent Democrats in Europe
* Europeans United for Democracy
* European Alliance for Freedom
* Libertas
* Movement for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy

Political parties not
recognised by the EU

| Current|

* Alliance for Peace and Freedom
* Alliance of European National Movements
* Animal Politics EU
* Democracy in Europe Movement 2025
* European Alliance for Freedom and Democracy
* Europe–Democracy–Esperanto
* European Federalist Party
* European Pirate Party
* European Party for Individual Liberty
* Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties
* Now the People!
* Volt Europa

|

Defunct|

* European National Front
* Europe United Party
* Movement for European Reform
* Newropeans

Party groups in the Nordic Council

* Centre Group
* Nordic Freedom
* Nordic Green Left Alliance
* The Social Democratic Group (SAMAK)
* Conservative Group

PACE political groups

* Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
* European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance
* Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group
* Unified European Left Group

Other confederations
of national parties

| Current|

* European Anti-Capitalist Left
* Liberal South East European Network

|

Defunct|

* Euronat
* European Democrat Union

* National parties by European organisation
* Political groups of the European Parliament
* Political foundations at European level
* European parliamentary elections
* European Council composition by party
* Politics portal

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