Renzi: we are joining the PES to change Europe

The Democratic Party head: “It’s an obvious duty to discuss about it”. Mr. Renzi will be in Brussels on February 18-19 with Ms. Mogherini

Matteo Renzi urges the Democratic Party (PD) to join the Party of European Socialists (PES). The PD secretary has always been clear about his will of joining the ESP, and now he wants the conversation to get going. The Democratic Party hasn’t joined the PES so far, even though in the European Parliament it is part of the S&D Group (Socialists and Democrats Group), which is the parliamentary expression of the PES.

Ms. Federica Mogherini is in charge of Europe and International Affairs for the Democratic Party: she has been in Brussels lately for a series of meetings, which, in Renzi’s mind, are preparatory moments for the big leap. “We are to be in Brussels together with Ms. Mogherini,” Mr. Renzi told his audience, “on February 18-19. I wish we can organize a meeting of the party direction, dedicated to the possibility of joining the ESP – I think a discussion on the matter should be right and proper.”

In the meantime, Mr. Renzi gave a clear message to European interlocutors: the government is not to fall. A crucial statement, because of the importance Brussels gives to political stability in order to proceed with the reforms requested by the EU. “I do not act in order to have a new round of elections as fast as possible, to get Letta’s chair,” said Mr. Renzi. “I’m just pointing out the mistakes made by the current government: I don’t want to pull the rug out from under Letta.”

R.G.