PES Elects Austria's Babler as Vice-President, Expels Slovakia's Smer Over Far-Right Ties
The Party of European Socialists (PES) has elected Andreas Babler, Austria's Vice-Chancellor, as its Vice-President. This decision was made at the SPÖ congress in Amsterdam, marking the first time in 15 years that the SPÖ has held this position in the PES.
The congress also saw significant developments regarding the PES's stance on European politics. The SPÖ supported the expulsion of Slovakia's ruling party, Smer, from the PES. This move comes after Smer's coalition with the far-right Slovakian National Party (SNS) and its alignment with figures like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The SPÖ's decision was unanimous and reflects a growing concern within the PES about the influence of far-right and nationalist parties in Europe.
The FPO's delegation leader in the European Parliament, Harald Vilimsky, has shown openness to closer cooperation with the governing party in Slovakia. This stance has raised eyebrows, given the FPO's own far-right leanings and the PES's commitment to progressive principles. Former SPE president Hannes Swoboda has expressed disappointment in Smer's deviation from these principles, a sentiment shared by many within the PES.
Andreas Babler's election as Vice-President of the PES signals a new era for the SPÖ within the party. The expulsion of Smer sends a strong message about the PES's commitment to progressive values and its intolerance for coalition with far-right or ultranationalist parties. The PES, under the leadership of Stefan Löfven, continues to navigate a complex European political landscape, with the SPÖ playing an increasingly active role.
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