After 11 years at the helm, Sergey split from PES with one vote: the left can save Europe again
A request to return to the BSP to strengthen it and a factor that defines the country’s agenda was put forward by Sergey Stanishev of Berlin. A congress of the Party of European Socialism (PES) was held in the German capital and, after 11 years at the head of the party, Stanishev is no longer president. He was succeeded by the former Swedish prime minister, Stefan Löven, who was also the only candidate.
Although still laconic about his plans, Stanishev has given a clear signal of a return to Bulgarian politics.
“I am not the face of the opposition
There are many people in BSP who are concerned. We need to realize that the very existence of the BSP as a political force on which something depends is at stake today, “she said.
My slogan is: let’s make the BSP and the left great again, Stanishev said. He explained that the centennial should be a factor that sets the country’s agenda, and not just a party affiliated with a coalition or someone who is better and bigger than it.
“This is a humiliating situation for BSP. And when the BSP, the left, is big and strong enough, there will be a place for everyone,” explained Stanishev.
He recalled that PES has become and remained a great party because the principles he has followed as president during these 11 years are respect for every party, every organization – large and small, for their context, for their concerns and expectations. Furthermore, there is a need for dialogue with each of the organizations and building this basis of consensus policies that will carry us forward and make us stronger together and each individually stronger, of course, refracted through our values of democracy, justice, solidarity, equality, Stanishev gave the recipe. Currently, PES has 33 full member parties, 12 observers and 12 associate members.
“Unfortunately, at BSP these principles do not work today. Neither do we have an internal dialogue, we have constant struggles, nor do we have an external dialogue. Nor do we have the construction of policies that are convincing, in order to motivate people and charge them with positive emotion. “, commented Stanishev. This is exactly what he has pointed out as one of the main reasons for not running again for the presidency of PES – because he does not have a big party committed to PES behind him – he can hardly play the role expected of the president of the United Social Democrats. .
Stanishev’s role in preserving the strong PES family was consistently reported by everyone at the congress.
Sergey, you have raised the bar in PES leadership so much that I will at least try to get closer to it,
his successor Leuven thanked him from the tribune. He explained that Stanishev was a wonderful representative of the left political family, because he did not deviate from his values of his even for a moment and showed what are the most important goals for which PES is fighting. He also managed to unite the PES in the best possible way, Leuven added.
“Now the PSE is ready to become the first political force in the next European elections of 2024. And for this the main role belongs to a person who has done a lot for the success of our family.
A true European and an experienced political leader Thank you, Sergey, for your outstanding work over the past 11 years! ” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz thanked Stanishev with these words.
The first Bulgarian to hold such a high political post in Europe has also become the longest-serving president of the European socialists. And his companions parted from him with many gifts, thanks and hugs. Everyone wanted to shake hands and take pictures of Stanishev, who had long been signing autographs on the sidelines of the forum. And PES Secretary General Achim Post described him as a champion and a great leader who led the Social Democrats with a big heart and thanks to whom they are not only political partners but also friends of the party.
PES and Europe have always played a key role in my life, said Stanishev himself in his speech before the congress. He said that as the leader of the BSP since 2001, he has worked diligently for his acceptance into the Socialist International and the PES. And during his time as prime minister – in 2007, Bulgaria joined the EU. He did not hide the emotion with which he placed himself at the head of the left in Europe. And he understood that he was leaving a strong and united team and today the left is bigger, more united and with solutions to crises and ready to take the helm of Europe. “Every decision of the EU institutions has a social imprint, his word is heard and people expect social protection from the crisis,” said Stanishev.
“Think about where we were in 2011 and where we are now. At the time, the right imposed policies everywhere: we remember the tightening of the belts. And today our word is heard and every European policy has a social footprint, “said Stanishev. And he provided an example of tools such as the Next Generation EU and the Green Deal, through the Unemployment Assistance Facility and the Directive on minimum wage, the Just Transition Fund, the European Social Fund, the Child and Youth Guarantee.
“The world is radically changing and people are afraid. They feel insecure and abandoned. They fear for their job, income and future. There are two emotions that drive life and politics: fear and hope. Fear is the weapon. of the right and populists to whom they sell the story of the “good old days.” And we are at the other pole – of hope. The future is encoded in our DNA and our political family is called to change everyone’s life, not of only a select few, “Stanishev also said. And he explained that people expect social protection and solutions from the left to emerge from the crisis.
Quick measures not only national, but also general European to help people and the economy in winter and the regulation of the European energy market, also asked the former president of the PES. According to him, a general purchase of external energy should be sought and a complete transformation should be made to make Europe less dependent on fuels and energy supplies from outside the EU. “It’s not just about Russia, but other sources as well. Because at the moment Europe is bleeding financially in 2 directions: to Russia, where Gazprom has reported huge profits for the first half of the year, and to the United States and other suppliers, “explained Stanishev. And in the resolution adopted by the PES Congress, a proposal was outlined for the creation of a European Pact for energy security and a package of measures to make energy sustainable, but also socially accessible to people.
Prime ministers of Portugal, Antonio Costa, and Spain, Pedro Sanchez, also spoke of the need for a new energy policy in the EU and of overcoming energy dependence on Russia through interconnectors between all member countries. The latter has asked for further taxation of the large energy companies that have profited greatly from the crisis. Squeeze the energy market and its excess profits so governments can raise resources to redirect to people and the labor market, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abella asked.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the enlargement of the EU, but made it clear that candidates for membership must meet all the requirements. “I have proposed a common tax policy. Yes, there is still a lot to convince, but solidarity is a fundamental value of the PSE. We must not forget even the small EU member states, because otherwise it is betrayal”, he said. commented Scholz. He added that this also applies to the energy system, to European markets.
The enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans, Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova must continue, even Stefan Löwen supported it.
In her speech as president-elect, she promised that women’s rights remain a great battle for the PES because it is a struggle for human rights. And he defined the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the immediate lifting of abortion bans as mandatory.
The deputy director of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, has given a new orientation to the left on which to reflect: whether it is ready to offer an alternative and policies also for the center, on whose territory it is to seek joint work with the right for a better future of the ‘Europe. “There must be someone who also takes care of the center. There are still right-wing centers we have worked with in the past that now also feel excluded and not represented by the far right. And if we see what is happening to our parties in the elections: they only succeed when they show that they will leave no one behind, that they offer policies for all citizens, “Timmermans explained. And he called on EU policies to make sure that everyone can benefit from it: to be able to install solar panels in their homes, get quality education and health care. “Never believe anyone who tells you that the left is out of style,” blasted Timmermans.
The war in Ukraine was a major theme of the Berlin congress and all those who spoke strongly condemned Putin’s actions. And a special guest was the Mriya musical ensemble of Ukrainian musicians living in the German capital. Their music moved the room.
The forum ended with great emotion – with support for the protests in Iran after the assassination of Massa Amini, and this time the emblematic left-wing song “Bela Chow” was performed in Farsi.
PES urged Bulgaria to join Schengen without further delay
Bulgaria will join Schengen without further delay. The PES asked for this with a resolution unanimously adopted by the congress.
“We want to protect and promote the Schengen Agreement, which is one of the EU’s greatest achievements, and see Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia as part of it without delay,” the document states.
The resolution outlines a plan for a European pact for affordable energy and social cohesion, a call for a just green transition as a way out of the energy crisis, as well as proposals to reduce inequalities and secure jobs in the EU.
Although they supported the election of Stefan Löven as president of the PES, the representatives of the BSP at the congress Vyara Emilova and Filip Popov did not participate in the vote on the resolution. A week ago, leader Kornelia Ninova sent a letter to the PES in which she stated that the texts of the resolution on military aid to Ukraine, the severe sanctions against Russia and the Istanbul Convention are not binding on the BSP.
The deputy head of the BSP Christian Vigenin was also present, but as chairman of the group of socialists in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. He explained that they had been instructed by the Executive Office not to participate in the vote.
