Party of European Socialists

Centre-left 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

Official names: see below

Abbreviation| PES
President| Stefan Löfven (SE)
Secretary-General| Giacomo Filibeck (IT)
Founded| 9 November 1992; 32 years ago (1992-11-09)
Preceded by| Confederation of the Socialist Parties of the European Community (1973)
Headquarters| Rue Guimard 10,
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Think tank| Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Youth wing| Young European Socialists
Women's wing| PES Women
Membership (26 January 2025)| 9
Ideology| Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Political position| Centre-left[1][2]
European Parliament group| Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
International affiliation| Progressive Alliance[3]
Socialist International[4]
Colours|   Red
European Parliament|

136 / 720

European Commission|

4 / 27

European Council|

3 / 27

European
Lower Houses|

1,111 / 6,229

European
Upper Houses|

296 / 1,459

Website
pes.eu

* Politics of the European Union
* Political parties
* Elections

The Party of European Socialists (PES) is a social democratic[5][6] European political party.[7]

The PES comprises national-level political parties from all the European economic area states (EEA) plus 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, the Portuguese Socialist Party, the Romanian Social Democrat 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.[8] Most member, associate, and observer parties are members of the wider Progressive Alliance or Socialist International.[3][4]

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.

## Name

[edit]

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 evropskih 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.[9]

## History

[edit]

### 1960s

[edit]

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.[10]

### 1970s

[edit]

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.[11] 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]

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.[11]

### 1990s

[edit]

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.[11]

Along with the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, the founding members of the PES were:[12]

* 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]

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]

In 2010, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies was founded as the European 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[13] 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.[14] 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.

On 22–23 February 2019, the PES held its Election Congress in Madrid to endorse a Common Candidate and adopt its manifesto for the 2019 European Parliament election. The Election Congress acclaimed European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and adopted its manifesto: A New Social Contract for Europe.[15]

### 2020s

[edit]

On 16 December 2021, the PES held its Council in Brussels, adopting the resolution: Fairness, Sustainability, Respect: a progressive vision for the future of Europe.[16]

On 14–15 October 2022, the PES Congress in Berlin elected Stefan Löfven (Swedish Social Democratic Party) as PES President and welcomed a new PES leadership team:[17] Caroline Gennez (Vooruit (political party)) as Treasurer, Iratxe García (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) as First Vice President, Katarina Barley (SPD) and Francisco André (Socialist Party (Portugal)) as Executive Vice Presidents, Tanja Fajon (Social Democrats (Slovenia)), Victor Negrescu (Social Democratic Party (Romania)), Kati Piri (Labour Party (Netherlands)), Andrzej Szejna (New Left), and Radmila Šekerinska (Social Democratic Union of Macedonia) as Vice Presidents. Achim Post (SPD) continued as Secretary General, Giacomo Filibeck (Democratic Party (Italy)) took up the position of Executive Secretary General, Yonnec Polet (Socialist Party (Belgium)) remained as Deputy Secretary General, and Saar van Bueren (Labour Party (Netherlands)) became Deputy Secretary General. The Congress adopted the resolution: With Courage For Europe: leading Europe through change.[18]

On 29 June 2023, Georgian Dream was removed from the PES due to activities and positions far outside PES values.[19]

On 12 October, after the 2023 Slovak parliamentary election, the PES suspended Smer-SD and Hlas-SD over their plans to enter into coalition with the ultranationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), which the PES views as a "radical-right party."[20]

On 2 March 2024, the PES held its Election Congress in Rome and acclaimed European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit as presidential candidate and adopted its election programme.[21]

## Membership

[edit]

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.[22]

### Full members

[edit]

State | Name | abbr. | MEPs[a] | National MPs

|
|
|
|

Austria | Social Democratic Party of Austria
Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs | SPÖ  |

5 / 19

40 / 183

19 / 62

Belgium | Socialist Party
Parti socialiste | PS  |

2 / 8

[. 1] |

19 / 63

7 / 24

[. 1]
Forward
Vooruit | Vooruit  |

1 / 13

[. 2] |

9 / 87

4 / 35

[. 2]
Bulgaria | Bulgarian Socialist Party
Българска социалистическа партия
Bulgarska sotsialisticheska partiya | BSP  |

2 / 17

18 / 240

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

4 / 12

37 / 151

Cyprus | Movement for Social Democracy
Κίνημα Σοσιαλδημοκρατών
Kinima Sosialdimokraton | EDEK  |

1 / 6

4 / 56

Czech Republic | Social Democracy
Sociální demokracie | SOCDEM  |

0 / 21

0 / 200

1 / 81

Denmark | Social Democrats
Socialdemokraterne | A  |

3 / 14

49 / 179

Estonia | Social Democratic Party
Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond | SDE  |

2 / 7

9 / 101

Finland | Social Democratic Party of Finland
Suomen sosialidemokraattinen puolue
Finlands socialdemokratiska parti | SDP  |

2 / 14

43 / 200

France | Socialist Party
Parti socialiste | PS  |

3 / 79

65 / 348

28 / 577

Germany | Social Democratic Party of Germany
Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands | SPD  |

16 / 96

120 / 630

(Bundestag)

19 / 69

(Bundesrat)
Greece | PASOK – Movement for Change
Πανελλήνιο Σοσιαλιστικό Κίνημα – Κίνημα Αλλαγής
Panellínio Sosialistikó Kínima– Kínima Allagís | PASOK-KINAL  |

2 / 21

23 / 300

Hungary | Democratic Coalition
Demokratikus Koalíció | DK |

2 / 21

16 / 199

Hungarian Socialist Party
Magyar Szocialista Párt | MSZP  |

0 / 21

10 / 199

Ireland | Labour Party
Páirtí an Lucht Oibre | Lab  |

1 / 14

4 / 60

7 / 160

Italy | Democratic Party
Partito Democratico | PD  |

21 / 76

39 / 200

71 / 400

Italian Socialist Party
Partito Socialista Italiano | PSI  |

0 / 76

0 / 200

0 / 400

Latvia | Social Democratic Party "Harmony"[23]
Sociāldemokrātiskā partija "Saskaņa" | SDPS  |

1 / 8

0 / 100

Lithuania | Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
Lietuvos socialdemokratų partija | LSDP  |

2 / 11

52 / 141

Luxembourg | Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei
Parti ouvrier socialiste luxembourgeois
Luxemburger Sozialistische Arbeiterpartei | LSAP  |

1 / 6

10 / 60

Malta | Labour Party
Partit Laburista | PL  |

4 / 6

38 / 69

Netherlands | Labour Party
Partij van de Arbeid | PvdA  |

6 / 29

6 / 75

9 / 150

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

48 / 169

Poland | New Left
Nowa Lewica | NL  |

5 / 52

9 / 100

26 / 460

Portugal | Socialist Party
Partido Socialista | PS  |

8 / 21

58 / 230

Romania | Social Democratic Party
Partidul Social Democrat | PSD  |

8 / 33

47 / 136

109 / 330

Slovakia | Direction – Social Democracy
(suspended)
Smer – sociálna demokracia | SMER-SD  |

5 / 15

42 / 150

Slovenia | Social Democrats
Socialni demokrati | SD  |

2 / 8

7 / 90

Spain | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Partido Socialista Obrero Español | PSOE  |

21 / 58

89 / 265

121 / 350

Sweden | Swedish Social Democratic Party
Sveriges socialdemokratiska arbetareparti | SAP  |

5 / 21

107 / 349

United Kingdom | Labour Party | Labour  | Not in EU |

213 / 830

404 / 632

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

0 / 794

2 / 18

### Associated members

[edit]

State | Name | abbr. | MEPs | National MPs

|
|
|
|

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 |  |

0 / 15

5 / 42

Bulgaria | Party of Bulgarian Social Democrats
Партия Български социалдемократи
Partiya Bulgarski Sotsialdemokrati | PBS |

0 / 17

1 / 240

Iceland | Social Democratic Alliance
Samfylkingin | Samf. |  |

15 / 63

Moldova | European Social Democratic Party
Partidul Social Democrat European | PSDE |  |

0 / 101

Montenegro | Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro
Demokratska partija socijalista Crne Gore | DPS |  |

17 / 81

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

0 / 81

North Macedonia | Social Democratic Union of Macedonia
Социјалдемократски сојуз на Македонија
Socijaldemokratski Sojuz na Makedonija | SDSM |  |

18 / 120

Slovakia | Voice – Social Democracy
(suspended)
Hlas – sociálna demokracia | Hlas-SD |

1 / 15

27 / 150

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

8 / 250

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

Turkey | Republican People's Party
Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi | CHP |  |

137 / 600

Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party
Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi
Partiya Wekhevî û Demokrasiya Gelan | DEM |  |

56 / 600

### Observer members

[edit]

State | Name | abbr. | MEPs | National MPs

|
|
|
|

Andorra | Social Democratic Party
Partit Socialdemòcrata | PS |  |

3 / 28

Armenia | Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Հայ Յեղափոխական Դաշնակցութիւն
Hay Yeghap’vokhakan Dashnakts’ut’iwn | ARF |  |

10 / 107

Belarus | Hramada
Беларуская сацыял-дэмакратычная партыя (Грамада́)
Biełaruskaja sacyjał-demakratyčeskaja partija (Hromada) | БСДП  |  | Parties banned by the Lukashenko regime
Narodna Hramada
Беларуская сацыял-дэмакратычная партыя (Народная Грамада)
Bielaruskaja Sacyjal-Demakratyčnaja Partyja (Narodnaja Hramada) | БСДП (НГ) |
Egypt | Egyptian Social Democratic Party
الحزب المصرى الديمقراطى الاجتماعى
al-Ḥizb al-Maṣrī al-Dimuqrāṭī al-Ijtmāʿī | ESDP |  |

4 / 596

Israel | Democrats
הדמוקרטים | Democrats |  |

4 / 120

Kosovo | Self-Determination Movement
Lëvizja Vetëvendosje | LVV |  |

56 / 120

Latvia | Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party
Latvijas Sociāldemokrātiskā strādnieku partija | LSDSP |

0 / 8

0 / 100

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

Northern Cyprus | Republican Turkish Party
Cumhuriyetçi Türk Partisi | CTP |  |

12 / 50

Palestine | Fatah
فتح
Fatḥ | فتح |  |

45 / 132

Romania | PRO Romania
PRO România | PRO |

0 / 33

0 / 330

San Marino | Party of Socialists and Democrats
Partito dei Socialisti e dei Democratici | PSD |  |

3 / 60

Serbia | Party of Freedom and Justice
Странка слободе и правде
Stranka slobode i pravde | SSP |  |

16 / 250

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

### Individual members

[edit]

The PES also includes a number of individual members, although, as most other European parties, it has not sought to develop mass individual membership.[24]

Below is the evolution of individual membership of the PES since 2019.[25] Individual membersIndividual members of European political parties0306090120150201920202021202220232024PES

## Organisation

[edit]

Part of a series on

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### Constituent organisations

[edit]

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.[26]

### International memberships

[edit]

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

### President and Presidency

[edit]

The President (currently former Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Löfven) 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.[26]

As of 19 November 2024 the Presidency of the PES is:[27]

* Stefan Löfven – President
* Iratxe García – First Vice-President
* Katarina Barley – Executive Vice-President
* Tanja Fajon – Vice-President
* Victor Negrescu – Vice-President
* Kati Piri – Vice-President
* Andrzej Szejna – Vice-President
* Caroline Gennez – Treasurer
* Giacomo Filibeck – Secretary General

The list below shows PES presidents and the presidents of its predecessors.[28]

President  | State  | National party  | Term  | Photo

|
|
|
|

1\.  | Wilhelm Dröscher |  West Germany  | Social Democratic Party of Germany | April 1974  | January 1979  |
2\.  | Robert Pontillon |  France  | Socialist Party | January 1979  | March 1980  |
3\.  | Joop den Uyl |  Netherlands  | Labour Party | March 1980  | May 1987  |
4\.  | Vítor Constâncio |  Portugal  | Socialist Party | May 1987  | January 1989  |
5\.  | Guy Spitaels |  Belgium  | Socialist Party | February 1989  | May 1992  |
6\.  | Willy Claes |  Belgium  | Socialist Party | November 1992  | October 1994  |
7\.  | Rudolf Scharping |  Germany  | Social Democratic Party of Germany | March 1995  | May 2001  |
8\.  | Robin Cook |  United Kingdom  | Labour Party | May 2001  | 24 April 2004  |
9\.  | Poul Nyrup Rasmussen |  Denmark  | Social Democrats | 24 April 2004  | 24 November 2011  |
10\.  | Sergey Stanishev |  Bulgaria  | Bulgarian Socialist Party | 24 November 2011  | 14 October 2022  |
11\.  | Stefan Löfven |  Sweden  | Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party | 14 October 2022  | –  |

### Governance

[edit]

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.[26]

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.[26]

### European election primaries

[edit]

In December 2009, the PES decided to put forward a candidate for Commission President at all subsequent elections.[29] On 1 March 2014, the PES organised for the first time a European election Congress where a Common Manifesto[30] 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.

## Funding

[edit]

As a registered European political party, the PES is entitled to European public funding, which it has received continuously since 2004.[31]

Below is the evolution of European public funding received by the PES. Amount (€)European public funding of European political parties02,000,0004,000,0006,000,0008,000,00010,000,00012,000,0002004200720102013201620192022Maximum amounts of public fundingAmounts of public funding actually received

In line with the Regulation on European political parties and European political foundations, the PES also raises private funds to co-finance its activities. As of 2025, European parties must raise at least 10% of their reimbursable expenditure from private sources, while the rest can be covered using European public funding.[b]

Below is the evolution of contributions and donations received by the PES. Amount (€)Contributions raised by European political parties200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,0001,400,00020042008201220162020PES Amount (€)Donations raised by European political parties050010001500200025002004200720102013201620192022PES

## PES in the European institutions

[edit]

### Overview of the European institutions

[edit]

Organisation | Institution | Number of seats

|
|

European Union | European Parliament |

136 / 720 (19%)

[32]
European Commission |

4 / 27 (15%)

[33]
European Council
(Heads of Government) |

3 / 27 (11%)

[34]
Council of the European Union
(Participation in Government) |
Committee of the Regions |

86 / 329 (26%)

[35]
Council of Europe (as part of SOC) | Parliamentary Assembly |

157 / 612 (26%)

[36]

### European Parliament

[edit]

Further information: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

### European Commission

[edit]

European Commissioners are meant to remain independent, however there has been an increasing degree of politicisation within the Commission.[37] In the current European Commission, five of the Commissioners belong to the PES family.

Portfolio | Commissioner | State | Political party  | Photo

|
|
|
|

Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition  | Teresa Ribera |

Spain

| PSOE |
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness  | Roxana Mînzatu |

Romania

| PSD |
Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency  | Maroš Šefčovič |

Slovakia

| Smer–SD (susp.)  |
Commissioner for Energy and Housing  | Dan Jørgensen |

Denmark

| S |
Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport  | Glenn Micallef |

Malta

| PL |

### European Council

[edit]

Of the 27 heads of state and government that are members of the European Council, three 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

|
|
|
|
|

Denmark | Mette Frederiksen |  Prime Minister |  | Social Democrats | 27 June 2019 |
Malta | Robert Abela |  Prime Minister |  | PL | 13 January 2020 |
Spain | Pedro Sánchez |  Prime Minister |  | PSOE | 2 June 2018 |

### In third countries

[edit]

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

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

|
|
|
|
|

Albania | Edi Rama |  Prime Minister |  | PS | 13 September 2013 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Denis Bećirović |  Bosniak Member of the Presidency |  | SDP BiH | 16 November 2022 |
Norway | Jonas Gahr Støre |  Prime Minister |  | A/Ap | 14 October 2021 |
Switzerland | Élisabeth Baume-Schneider |  Federal Councillor |  | SP | 1 January 2023 |
Beat Jans | 1 January 2024 |
United Kingdom | Keir Starmer |  Prime Minister |  | Labour | 5 July 2024 |

### European Council and Council of Ministers

[edit]

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

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: Romania, Belgium, Slovenia and Estonia.

#### Overview

[edit]

State  | Governing parties  | Affiliated EU party  | Population

|
|
|

Germany | Christian Democratic Union
Social Democratic Party
Christian Social Union in Bavaria | EPP

PES
EPP

| 83,166,711
Spain | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Sumar
United Left
Catalunya en Comú
Más Madrid | PES
None
PEL
EGP
None | 48,619,695
Poland | Civic Coalition
New Left
Poland 2050
Polish People’s Party
Modern
Polish Initiative | EPP
PES
None
EPP
ALDE
None | 38,036,118
Romania | Social Democratic Party
National Liberal Party
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania | PES
EPP
EPP | 19,064,409
Belgium | New Flemish Alliance
Reformist Movement
Les Engagés
Vooruit
Christian Democratic and Flemish | EFA
ALDE
EDP
PES
EPP | 11,763,650
Bulgaria | GERB
Bulgarian Socialist Party
There is Such a People | EPP
PES
ECR | 6,445,481
Denmark | Social Democrats
Venstre
Moderates | PES
ALDE
None | 5,982,117
Slovenia | Freedom Movement
Social Democrats
The Left | None
PES
PEL | 2,129,052
Estonia | Estonian Reform Party
Social Democratic Party
Estonia 200 | ALDE
PES
None | 1,373,101
Malta | Labour Party | PES | 514,564

### Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

[edit]

Further information: Socialist Group

### Committee of the Regions

[edit]

PES has 122 members in the Committee of the Regions as of 2014.[38]

## Election results

[edit]

European Parliament

Year  | Lead Candidate  | Seats %  | Seats  | +/-  | Status  | Ref

|
|
|
|
|
|

2019 | Pre-Brexit  | Frans Timmermans | 19.4 (#2)  |

146 / 751

|  | Coalition | [39]
Post-Brexit  | 19.7 (#2)  |

139 / 705

|  7
2024 | Nicolas Schmit | 17.6 (#2)  |

127 / 720

|  12  | Coalition | [40][41]

## See also

[edit]

* European political party
* Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations
* European political foundation

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The number of MEPs listed below may not match the total number of MEPs of the European party, as it does not include MEPs who join as individual members.
2. ^ For the purpose of European party funding, "contributions" refer to financial or in-kind support provided by party members, while "donations" refer to the same but provided by non-members.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Europe's centre-left urges majority voting in some EU foreign policy -paper". Reuters. 14 October 2022.
2. ^ Johansson, Karl Magnus; Raunio, Tapio (2019). "Political Parties in the European Union". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.1153. ISBN 978-0-19-022863-7.
3. ^ a b "Member parties of the Progressive Alliance". 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
4. ^ a b "Member parties of Socialist International". 1 February 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
5. ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "European Union". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
6. ^ Richard Dunphy (2004). Contesting Capitalism?: Left Parties and European Integration. Manchester University Press. p. 103\. ISBN 978-0-7190-6804-1.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ "Member parties of the PES". 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
9. ^ "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.
10. ^ "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.
11. ^ a b c "History". Socialist Group website. Archived from the original on 1 November 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ "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.
14. ^ "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.
15. ^ "A New Social Contract for Europe". Party of European Socialists. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
16. ^ "Fairness, Sustainability, Respect" (PDF). Party of European Socialists. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
17. ^ "PES Congress welcomes new PES leadership team and four new member parties". Party of European Socialists. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
18. ^ "With Courage For Europe" (PDF). Party of European Socialists. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
19. ^ "PES Presidency strips Georgian Dream of observer membership". Party of European Socialists. 29 June 2023.
20. ^ Wax, Eddy; Barigazzi, Jacopo; Jochecová, Ketrin (12 October 2023). "European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas". Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
21. ^ "Schmit elected as lead candidate for Commission top job, pledging respect, EU values and combatting the right". Euractiv. 4 March 2024.
22. ^ "About the PES?". PES website. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
23. ^ "Saskaņa joins Party of European Socialists". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. LETA. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
24. ^ Hertner, Isabelle (9 September 2018). "United in diversity? Europarties and their individual members' rights". Journal of European Integration. 41 (4). Routledge: 487–505\. doi:10.1080/07036337.2018.1513500.
25. ^ "Audit reports and donations". European Parliament.
26. ^ a b c d "How does PES work?". PES website. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
27. ^ "ÊS Governing Body 2024-11-19" (PDF). Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
28. ^ "Former PES Presidents". PES website. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
29. ^ "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]
30. ^ "PES Manifesto Towards a New Europe. Adopted by Election Congress 2014 in Rome" (PDF). PES. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
31. ^ "Funding from the European Parliament to European political parties per party and per year" (PDF). European Parliament. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
32. ^ "Party of European Socialists". Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
33. ^ "PES in the EU institutions". Retrieved 7 February 2025.
34. ^ "Leadership - Heads of State and Government". Retrieved 7 February 2025.
35. ^ "European Committee of the Regions Members Page". Retrieved 6 February 2025.
36. ^ "Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group". Retrieved 6 February 2025.
37. ^ Mahony, Honor (7 May 2007). "Brussels struggles with communication policy". EU Observer. Retrieved 12 May 2007.
38. ^ "PES Group Members". Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
39. ^ "Evolution of the number of MEPs member of the European party". European Party Funding Observatory. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
40. ^ "Provisional list of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as of 19 July 2024". Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
41. ^ "Projected composition: Members of the European Parliament". Europe Elects. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Party of European Socialists.

* Official website
* Archives of the Party of European Socialists, held by the Historical Archives of the European Union.
* Parliamentary Group of the Party of European Socialists, official website
* European Youth Plan campaign Archived 28 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine, official website
* PES Group in the Committee of the Regions, official website

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Party of European Socialists

European Parliament group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats

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