Quote of the week by S&D president Iratxe García:
“As a political family, we have always been and will always remain the champion of women’s rights and gender equality in Europe. It is paramount that we bring these essential values to the agenda of the next Parliament and of the next Commission. Our core policy proposal for doing so is the EU Charter of Women’s Rights*, adopted by the S&D Group in its meeting in Cracow in May 2023. We must use this Charter as the cornerstone of our feminist policy and push the Commission for its adoption.”
* The EU Charter of Women’s Rights was signed and endorsed by the new S&D Group on 3 July 2024
Activities
What a way to start this new mandate! Our Labour comrades in the UK have secured a stunning victory in yesterday’s elections. Here’s our president congratulating them, and the party’s leadership for the result.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on Sunday’s second round of elections in France. In no way must extremists be allowed to take over our democracies. We firmly stand with our progressive, pro-European allies in the Hexagon.
Coming up next week
On Tuesday 9 July, our group will be hearing from the candidate for the presidency of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She will be answering questions from our MEPs in order to establish whether she is prepared for our endorsement for this crucial position. Progressive priorities will take centre-stage, and we will reaffirm our red lines when it comes to building coalitions with the extremes.
On 15 July, the S&D Group is heading to Strasbourg for the first Plenary session of the new mandate.
The week will start with a Group meeting on Monday to set the tone for the entire constitutive session.
On Tuesday 16 July, we will be electing the European Parliament’s president and vice-presidents for the next 2.5 years.
On Wednesday 17 July, it’s time to cast our votes for the institution’s Quaestors.
Thursday 18 July, is the day the Parliament will hear from EU Commission president candidate, Ursula von der Leyen. The vote on the future president of the Commission is scheduled for the same day in the afternoon.
Co-ordinators for the different committees will be elected between 18 - 22 July.
