Message from Group leader Iratxe García Pérez on the result of the Presidential elections in the United States:
“Following the US election, democratic and progressive forces must work together on a strong transatlantic and multilateral agenda which delivers for, and protects, our citizens. We stand united in our fight for a more just, sustainable and inclusive future.
Europe needs to show leadership to face global challenges which include working for peace and stability, the just transition, economic growth and equality, facing demographic challenges and fighting poverty. We won’t leave anyone behind.”
Up next:
Reminder: if you’re a member of the press corps, make sure you send our press officers a request to join our Signal channel, created to update you instantly on reactions and decisions during the hearing process.
We are getting ready for the last day of the commissioner-designate hearing process.
Hearings will conclude on Tuesday, 12 November, with a day dedicated to the candidates for executive vice-presidents (EVPs) of the next European Commission as follows:
09:00 - 12:00
- EVP Raffaele Fitto (Italy) Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms – room Antall 2Q2
HR & VP Kaja Kallas (Estonia) High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy – room Antall 4Q2
14:30 - 17:30
- EVP Roxana Mînzatu (Romania) Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness – room Antall 2Q2
EVP Stéphane Séjourné (France) Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy – room Antall 4Q2
18:30 - 21:30
- EVP Teresa Ribera (Spain) Executive Vice-President for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition – room Antall 2Q2
EVP Henna Virkkunen (Finland) Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy – room Antall 4Q2
So far, two of our four commissioners-designate have passed their confirmation hearings. Check out the updates on Glenn Micallef and Dan Jørgensen.
A message from Gaby Bischoff, S&D vice-president for social Europe on the confirmation of the first-ever Commissioner for Housing, Dan Jørgensen:
“Affordable and decent homes for all is our indisputable priority in this mandate. And, as we observe record housing costs across Europe, it is the young and old, the poorest and the middle class who are hit hardest, while the rich are getting wealthier trading human rights for profit. Housing is a social good and a human right, not a commodity for trading and speculation.
We are proud that we have managed to secure the first-ever European Commissioner for housing, and we are happy to see a social democrat in this role. Congratulations, Dan Jørgensen, for an excellent performance today, demonstrating great commitment to progressive housing priorities. The European affordable housing plan is in safe hands.”
And a message from Ana Catarina Mendes, vice-president of the S&D Group for strong democracy and rule of law, on the confirmation of Glenn Micallef as Commissioner for Culture, Youth and Sport:
“It is high time the European Union established minimum standards for working conditions for artists with a strong EU framework for their social and professional status. The S&D Group has long been calling for this and we are delighted that today we heard a clear commitment from Glenn Micallef for a European legislation to this end. I am also happy he sees the Creative Europe programme as a key tool for a thriving European creative sector, one which we need higher funding for.
We also heard concrete ideas on how sport should be promoted and funded across the EU, including with the use of existing tools like the European Solidarity Corps. I am happy the Commissioner-designate intends to discuss the matter with his other colleagues in the College of the European Commission when the new pluriannual EU budget after 2027 is put on the table.”
Upcoming activities:
Stay tuned for news from EP vice-president Victor Negrescu from our Group. He's the Parliament's lead negotiator on the 2025 EU budget and he will participate next Friday, 15 November, in a conciliation meeting with member states and the Commission in the Council of the EU. Negrescu is working hard to make a deal with member states on the EU money for next year to be invested in people and their needs.
On 19 November, together with all our political family, we are celebrating “30+2” years of Young European Socialists. Young people have always been at the core of our priorities and we will be happy to welcome them in our group meeting and additional events on the day.
The next day, on 20 November, we will be hosting a workshop on Social Progress in Action – Fair Minimum Wages for Workers in Europe. The event can be followed live on our site and guest speakers include Iratxe García Pérez, S&D Group president, MEP Gaby Bischoff, S&D Group vice-president responsible for Sustainable Economy and Social Europe and Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.
If you would like to attend the event in person, find out more details and register here.
And as always don’t forget to stay updated on all our initiatives and reactions on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and TikTok!
