About the PES

The Party of European Socialists (PES) brings together the Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour Parties of the European Union (EU). There are 34 full member parties from the 27 EU member States and Norway. In addition, there are eleven associate and six observer parties.

PES aims include:

the strengthening of the socialist and social democratic movement in the Union and throughout Europe;
the development of close working relationships between the national parties, the national parliamentary groups, the Parliamentary Group of the Socialists & Democrates, PES Women, ECOSY, and other socialist and social democratic organisations;
the definition of common policies for the European Union; and
the adoption of a common manifesto for elections to the European Parliament.

Structure

Congress - meets twice in every five year period, decides on the political orientation of the PES and elects the President and the Vice-President(s)
Council - every year without a Congress, the Council contributes to the shaping of PES policy
President - leads and represents the PES on a daily basis
Leaders' Conference - gathers Prime Ministers and Party Leaders from PES Member parties three to four
times a year to define the strategy and adopt common resolutions
Coordination Team - discusses the planning, preparation, follow-up and financing of PES activities
Secretariat - based in Brussels, ensures the daily running of the PES.

ECOSY and PES Women are respectively the Youth and the Women’s organization of the PES.