12 October 2006
The Presidency of the Party of European Socialists today decided to suspend the membership of Slovakian Party SMER from the Party of European Socialists – which brings together all socialist, social democratic and labour parties in the European Union - for entering a Government coalition with extreme nationalists SNS.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said “It is with a heavy heart that the PES must suspend SMER from our political family. But basic political principles cannot be sacrificed. The PES does not believe that its member parties can enter Government at any price. Slovakia needs social democracy, but not at the cost of compromising with extreme nationalism and xenophobia.”
The resolution adopted by the PES Presidency states “The PES Presidency ….decides to suspend the provisional membership of SMER-Social Democracy” and that the PES Presidency “will reassess the situation in June 2007”.
The resolution refers specifically to the Declaration “For a modern, pluralist and tolerant Europe” adopted by PES Congress in 2001 in Berlin which states “all PES parties adhere to the following principles… to refrain from any form of political alliance or co-operation at all levels with any political party which incites or attempts to stir up racial or ethnic prejudices and racial hatred.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Julian Scola, Press Officer
Party of European Socialists
