The PES is politically represented in the directly elected European Parliament, at governmental level in the European Council and Council of Ministers, and in the Committee of the Regions. The European Commission – although an independent, collegiate body – also numbers several members from PES parties amongst its commissioners.
European Parliament
- Martin Schulz (SPD Germany) is the President of European Parliament
- The Group of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament has 188 members, making it the second largest political force
- Hannes Swoboda is the President of Socialists & Democrats Group
European Commission
- Six members of the European Commission are members of the PES
European Council and Council of the EU
- PES Prime Ministers and Leaders meet regularly before European Summits to discuss common policies and goals that should be achieved during the European Council
- The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is Catherine Ashton. She chairs the Foreign Affairs Council and conducts the Common Foreign and Security Policy
- The PES is also represented in the ministerial formations of the Council of the EU
Committee of the Regions
- The PES Group in the Committee of the Regions is chaired by Karl-Heinz Lambertz
