The European elections in 2009 will shape the European Union and its Member States for the five years 2009-2014. The Party of European Socialists has a big ambition: for all Europe's socialist, social democratic and labour parties to go united into those elections with a common progressive manifesto. A manifesto that gives the people a clear choice between left and right - between the PES and Europe's assorted conservatives, liberals and extremists.
After a successful open consultation, it's time to write the manifesto and get ready for the campaign!
From October 2007 to 1 July 2008, the PES ran an open consultation on its manifesto for the 2009 European elections. The consultation was a big success: 300,000 visitors, 500 posts, 100 videos, 1,350 members in our Facebook group, more than 60 written contributions from PES member parties, NGOs, Foundations and activists. Moreover, 3,000 activists joined us during the process.
A draft manifesto will be drawn up on the basis of that consultation, and there will be discussions within the PES between the end of the consultation and the adoption of the final document. The PES manifesto will be adopted by the PES Council - a mini-Congress with voting representatives from all member parties - in December 2008.
The PES will launch its 2009 European elections campaign at its Council in December. Between July and December 2008, Yourspace will keep the political debate running, meet the candidates and report on how the PES member parties and the PES activists are preparing for the elections.
