S&D Times

Quote of the week by Group leader Iratxe García:

“Von der Leyen must abandon her inhumane and illegal proposal to create deportation centres in third countries.?It is unacceptable to bow down to the extreme right in order to bless a migration model that violates human rights and which until now she considered illegal?–?a model that the Italian justice system has ruled as illegal,?referring to Giorgia Meloni government’s agreement with Albania.

Faced with the demographic drama, the Popular Party and the extreme right?who?tell us that immigrants only come to Europe to receive subsidies and take our jobs, when in reality without them our economy would collapse.

The socialist family will not allow either von der Leyen nor the EPP together with the extreme right to bury the migration pact?–?an agreement that we must begin to apply in 2025 and that took nearly a decade of negotiations.”

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Activities:

After a busy Plenary session, our Group will take the?coming?days to prepare for the?commissioner-designate hearings.?Having scrutinised their?letters and written answers, our?MEPs are now ready to grill the candidates?in a?hearing?process that will?start on 4 November?and last?until 12 November.

Stay tuned?–?a special newsletter with all details will follow?on 4 November!

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It’s election weekend in?Bulgaria?and?Lithuania.?Lithuania?is?holding?its second round of parliamentary elections on Sunday. Bulgarians will cast their vote the same day in snap parliamentary elections, after attempts to form a government failed.?We will?be?keeping?an eye on the?outcome in these two EU countries,?as well as on the elections going on in?Georgia?on Saturday. We strongly believe in the country’s European path, as demanded by its people,?and that is why?this election is of critical importance. To this end, the European Parliament is sending a delegation to observe the process. These elections are especially important, as they are the first since the country was granted the status of a candidate country for EU accession.?We, therefore, expect Georgia to maintain the highest democratic standards, fully in line with its international commitments and the declared goal of EU membership.?The S&D Group is extremely worried by the anti-democratic rhetoric of representatives of the government and ruling party?and?their?attempts to manipulate public opinion.

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On Wednesday, the European Commission is set to present the?annual enlargement package,?which will mark the end of five grim years under Olivér Várhelyi as enlargement commissioner. Under his watch, there?has?been no good news from the Western Balkans region regarding the rule of law, democracy, media freedom and social rights. Hisdisloyal?attitude has been a black spot on the EU’s work with Ukraine and other eastern neighbours. Várhelyi’s disastrous legacy is further marred by the decision to put forward his last package on a week when the European Parliament is not convened, and the presentation to the MEPs will only happen three weeks later, instead of on the same day, as usual, again, disregarding this house.

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Events:

This weekend,?on 25-26 October, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)?–?in collaboration with Solidar, the S&D Group and Hungarian democratic, socialist and green activists–?is?organising?the “Call to Europe” conference in Budapest. Under the motto “A free Hungary in a stronger Europe”, this edition touches upon issues including climate and the just transition, industrial renewal, public services, quality housing, gender and equality. Our?S&D?vice-president?Gabi Bischoff will join the event this weekend.?

Panel discussions will focus on:

True democracy: Media freedom and the rule of law in Europe and Hungary?

Progressive leadership for a new course of action for Europe

Investing in the Just Transition is investing in Europe’s future

Job, health and housing – Progressive leadership for a shared well-being

Inputs from the youth on a “Free Hungary”

A free Hungary in a stronger Europe

Details on the event can be found here.

?The event will also be?streamed on our site.