Following the PES Council in Lisbon and the decision to preserve the Spitzenkandidaten system for the election of the next president of the European Commission, the S&D leader, Gianni Pittella, stated:
“As progressive family we are proud of having decided to present a common candidate for the election of the next European Commission President. This unprecedented decision will tremendously reinforce the democracy and the citizens’ legitimization of the European Institutions. The choice - fiercely supported by the S&D Group - will be opened to millions of European citizens. This is a victory for democracy, for the whole of the progressive family and for Europe.”
