The Party of European Socialists (PES) has designated Nicolas Schmit as its lead candidate for the EU elections, expressing concerns about a potential rise of far-right forces. Schmit, the current European Commissioner for jobs and social rights, was unanimously endorsed during the party’s congress in Rome. The 70-year-old Luxembourgish politician faced no opposition in the internal selection process.
In his acceptance speech at La Nuvola, on the outskirts of Rome, Schmit emphasized the need to avoid a return to austerity and social repression in Europe. He pledged to champion the core values of the party, including labor rights, gender equality, climate action, and social justice. Schmit is set to compete against Ursula von der Leyen, the lead candidate of the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), under the Spitzenkandidaten system.
Despite being a member of the European Commission since 2019, Schmit maintains a relatively low profile. Notable projects include a €100-billion program for short-time work during COVID-19 lockdowns and a directive for setting minimum wages at “adequate levels.” However, his proposal to improve conditions for platform workers is currently stalled in negotiations among member states.
Schmit faces an uphill battle against von der Leyen, who has gained widespread recognition for her leadership during her first mandate, addressing issues like climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the energy crisis, and China’s assertive behavior. The upcoming elections are projected to favor the EPP, with the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) expected to finish second.
In response to the ideological shift within the EPP, socialists, led by Schmit, have intensified their rhetoric, warning against the normalization of extreme right-wing ideas. Schmit declared that his political family will not collaborate with Eurosceptic groups like Identity and Democracy (ID) or the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). The broader concern among socialists is the growing influence of the far right in European politics, with leaders urging a united front to counteract this trend.
As the elections approach, European socialists aim to emphasize the importance of their ideology in shaping progressive responses to crises. Despite the challenging political landscape, they seek to demonstrate how social democratic goals of social justice, economic equality, green ambition, and security can address the main challenges facing European societies. The elections to the European Parliament are scheduled between June 6 and 9, with EU leaders expected to convene for a summit shortly afterward to allocate key positions within the bloc.
