S&D Times

Message from S&D Group Leader Iratxe García:

“The Competitiveness Compass does not fully address most problems, nor does it provide realistic solutions to them. We welcome the commitment of maintaining the targets of 90% reduction on net greenhouse gas emissions for 2040, however we don't have any guarantees that there won't be any backtrack on environmental and social standards such as worker’s rights, climate neutrality, sustainability, a just transition, and in particular, the other objectives behind the Green Deal. Lowering standards in our EU Single Market that may compromise the quality of people’s lives is not the way for the EU to become a role model in the world. Competitiveness should not be seen as an end in itself but rather a way to preserve and improve well-being for all. The EU’s economy can only be competitive if we make our economy fit for the future and more resilient.”

Upcoming events:

On Monday, 3 February, our S&D group leader, Iratxe García Pérez, will meet progressive leaders at the PES high-level meeting at the Square – Brussels Convention Centre. PES heads of state and government, the President of the European Council, progressive European Commissioners, party leaders and high-level representatives from the PES family will discuss common positions ahead of the informal EU leaders' retreat.

Venue: SQUARE Convention Center - Rue Ravenstein, nr. 2 – 1000 Brussels

09.00 Arrival of participants

09.10 ‘Family photo’ followed by 'tour de table'

09.15 Start of the meeting

11.00 End of the meeting

Also on Monday, the special committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) will hold its constitutive meeting at 18.00 and start its 12-month term of office.

The S&Ds will play an active role in this committee by proposing concrete action to protect our citizens and democracies against foreign interference; by tackling disinformation, cyberattacks and harmful content spread online. EP vice-president and S&D MEP Christel Schaldemose, will coordinate the work of our Group in this new committee.

On Tuesday, 4 February, the S&D Bureau and Heads of Delegations will meet for our Away Day in Genval. In the new challenging geopolitical context and ahead of the upcoming presentation of the Commission Work Programme (during the February plenary session) and following the presentation of the Competitiveness Compass, the S&D leadership will follow up on our priorities and outlook for the short and long term.

Also on Tuesday, from 14.00 to 16.00, the S&Ds will partner with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation to host a seminar highlighting the urgent need to introduce wealth taxes and minimum capital income taxation.

The event, entitled Capital and wealth taxation in the EU - Ways forward on the path of justice, will delve into an issue of growing concern both politically and economically. Recent Oxfam research on the surge in billionaire wealth within the EU underscores the necessity of rebalancing the tax mix to ease the burden on the workers and middle class and ensuring that the ultra-rich pay their fair share.

Our members Aurore Lalucq, Matthias Ecke, Jonás Fernández and Bruno Gon?alves will be participating.

You can learn more about the speakers here.

And you can register here to attend in person. And follow the event live here.

And as always don’t forget to stay updated on all our initiatives and reactions on?Facebook, Bluesky,?X,?Instagram,?Telegram,?Spotify,?Apple Podcasts?and?TikTok!