Following the meeting of heads of state and government at the EU Council in Brussels today, S&D Group president Martin Schulz said:
"We are very happy that Jean-Claude Juncker has been nominated by the heads of state and government as the candidate for future EU Commission President.
"This is a clear and even a historic step – it is EU citizens, not the heads of state and government who have the final say on who leads Europe.
"As we have made clear in previous statements, given the outcome of the European Parliament elections we fully support Jean-Claude Juncker. This is what the majority of European citizens have voted for and this is what they should see happen, as a sign that their votes have been respected.
"However, any EU Commission president candidate who appears before the Parliament to ask for our votes will only be supported by our Group if they respect our programme for change. This includes, among other issues, a fundamental policy shift to end the austerity-only policy ruling in Europe; investment in growth and jobs; and a special focus on the fight against the dramatically high levels of youth unemployment."
To read the full text of the S&D programme for change, please read here.
Press contact:
Utta TUTTLIES
Head of Unit Press & Communication
Spokesperson for the S&D Group
Tel: +32 473 853407
Email: utta.tuttlies@ep.europa.eu
