President Iratxe García, announcing the S&D mission to Washington D.C., says:
“Global challenges require a strong progressive response that will bring about real change. We must reinforce our transatlantic cooperation based on shared values and a commitment to democracy, social justice and multilateralism. It is vital that Europe and the US stand together to protect fair trade and a rules-based global order. Our discussions will focus on building a strong progressive partnership that delivers for people on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Next week, a high-level S&D delegation, led by S&D President Iratxe García, will travel to Washington D.C. Vice-presidents Kathleen van Brempt and Yannis Maniatis, as well as S&D International Trade Coordinator Brando Benifei will accompany the S&D president during the four-day mission.
With the goal of strengthening ties between progressives on both sides of the Atlantic, they will meet with US representatives, experts and students, among others. Discussions will focus on the most pressing global challenges, from international trade to peace and security, and from the fight against inequality to the green and digital transitions.
Letter to Commission President and Polish PM
In a letter to Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk – currently heading the rotating Council presidency – S&D leader Iratxe García urged the Council to do what is needed to start the negotiations on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) Regulation. Without rapid adoption of the EDIP, there is a risk of ‘compromising Europe's strategic autonomy and the confidence of our citizens’. In the letter, García expresses concern at using Article 122 TFEU as the sole legal basis for the SAFE Regulation.
UP NEXT:
Stakeholders' consultation on Omnibus
The Commission’s first ‘Simplification Omnibus’ on sustainability has stirred up a lot of controversy. What was supposed to make things easier has actually put our EU values at risk, by undermining human rights and the protection of our environment, as well as by confusing those companies already working hard to comply with EU laws. What’s worse, the Commission didn’t tackle the real issues that companies are facing, and it skipped the usual public consultation, putting forward a proposal not based on facts. We must now succeed where the Commission has failed! The Socialists and Democrats want to play an active role to make sure that simplification does not come at the expense of our sustainability standards. That’s why, on Monday 2 June, the S&D Group will launch a stakeholders' consultation to ask experts what’s working and where support is most needed. This information will then help shape the amendments our Group will put forward in June. Stay tuned!
EU annual budget for 2026
On Wednesday, 4 June, the European Commission puts on the table its proposal for the annual budget of the European Union for 2026. The same day, the Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, comes to the European Parliament's committee on budgets to present the draft annual budget for next year. With this, the negotiations between the European Parliament and the member states in the Council of the EU can start. Our Group's negotiator Nils Ušakovs will work to make sure the EU budget 2026 finds the necessary balance between social spending and funding solutions to the security and economic challenges the EU faces with war back on the European continent and on our border.
EU Ocean Pact
Also on 4 June, the European Commission is expected to present its proposal for an EU Ocean Pact. The day before, we will hold a press briefing with our vice-president, Christophe Clergeau, to outline S&D priorities. As the world’s largest maritime power – with 40% of its population living in coastal areas – the EU must act. The Pact should prioritise the ocean’s vital role in ensuring a healthy planet, a stronger and more sovereign Europe, and the well-being of our coastal communities and fishers. We will push for an ambitious, binding commitment that puts the ocean at the heart of Europe’s environmental and strategic agenda.
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