Quote of the week by S&D president, Gianni Pittella

The EU, and especially the Progressives in Europe, have worked intensely to make the Paris climate conference a success, with an ambitious deal and fast implementation, so that the EU cannot lag behind countries like the United States or China when it comes to ratification.

An efficient and responsible answer to the global climate risk is the best legacy we can leave to future generations. There is no time to waste, or the human, economic and environmental consequences will become unbearable

 

Last week’s highlights

This week’s plenary session in Strasbourg has given us several reasons to celebrate our commitment to causes that are dear to us. First of all, we are proud to announce that, in the presence of former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and French minister Ségolène Royale, the Parliament backed the ratification of the COP 21 world climate agreement reached last year in Paris. Secondly, we are glad that our fight for women’s rights in Poland has echoed and that we are one step closer to bringing true equality in a country threatened by an ultra-conservative government. You can read more about our delegation to Poland here.

See below a wrap-up of last week’s plenary session.

[[{"fid":"134935","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":168,"width":300,"border":"0","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]


Activities

This autumn is all about reconnecting with the citizens. We want to have them voice their opinions and this is why we’re launching a series of consultations throughout Europe.

We are also preparing for our upcoming Relaunching Europe event in Bucharest. Follow us for daily updates!

 

Upcoming activities

We are getting closer to this autumn’s biggest event. On October 19 we’re launching a new road for Europe. Taking into account that populist and anti-EU parties are on the rise across Europe, that for the first time a member state has voted to leave the Union and we are still struggling to get to grips with both the refugee and eurozone crises, it is our belief that Europe desperately needs to be reformed with new ideas, taking a new direction.

To do this we need to work Together. Together is more than a political promise: it means involving our citizens in building a progressive Europe. Over the next 18 months, we will be holding events across the EU encouraging citizens to contribute to this new direction for Europe.

We welcome you to join us at the start of this journey on October 19th in Brussels or online.

Please register and send us your questions via the registration form by Monday 17th October at 18h00 at the latest, and become an agent for the change you want to see in Europe.

Our initiative to connect to the citizens doesn’t stop here. The Group’s Relaunching Europe initiative will also be back on the road on the 21st of October. Bucharest is our destination and, together with important national and European leaders, we’ll try to deliver answers to one of Romania’s most important topics - its future in the EU and the future of the young generation.

Registrations are now open on our new site!

[[{"fid":"134936","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":224,"width":300,"border":"0","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

 

On Wednesday, October 12, we are glad to hear MEP Soledad Cabezón’s report on Access to Medicines. No less than 20% of public health spending in OECD countries goes to medicines, at a time of austerity and cuts that is undermining public health systems.

Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (S&D, Spain) author of the European Parliament report on Access to Medicines, wants to improve the access of citizens to affordable medicines and treatments, particularly when their lives are at risk, as it is the case with treatments for Hepatitis. In her report, she proposes a more transparent and participative system of price-setting, with harmonised criteria across the EU.

Next Thursday, October 13 we are also organising an interesting debate on Circular Economy. We will talk about our vision for the Energy Union - our priorities, leading the fight against climate change and equipping European industry for the 21st century. At the event, Commissioner Karmenu Vella will speak on the state of play of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy, while our rapporteur Simona Bonafé will comment on the discussions in the European Parliament on the legislative waste package.

We have recently launched our new Snapchat account. Follow us for fresh behind-the-scenes updates on our Group’s activities!

[[{"fid":"134937","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":300,"width":300,"border":"0","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]
 

 

S&D press contact