Statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate and Q&A. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

SCHMIT, Nicolas (LU, EC)

statement

2024 European elections (T)

European Elections Night 2024 - Statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate and Q&A

SOUNDBITE (Original), Delphine COLARD, Head of Spokesperson&rsquo;s Unit and Deputy spokesperson, Now allow me to welcome on stage Nicolas Schmit for the Party of the European Socialists.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, Good evening. The European citizens have spoken. And, it was again, a very strong democratic moment for Europe, a unique moment for Europe, a showcase of democracy worldwide. Now. The election results are more or less known. And I want to start by congratulating the party EPP and also the lead candidate of EPP who has the first position in the next European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, It is clear that for us, we are open to a strong cooperation with all democratic forces in this parliament. We have said it at the beginning and we continue saying it: as the second largest group that maintained more or less its number of members of this Parliament. We are ready to negotiate an agreement for the next years to make Europe stronger, to make Europe more democratic. To make Europe more social and economically strong.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, But also to make Europe more secure. I also want to thank all those who have put their trust into the Social Democratic project. I think that they have a very strong belief in a united Europe built on democracy and on solidarity. I'm also very happy that now the Democratic forces seem to find their way to unite, to work together. So there is no place, no possibility for us Social Democrats to have a cooperation with those who want to dismantle, who want to weaken this Europe we have built since several decades.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, Now it's up to us to give citizens a clear message, a strong message, a message of hope. We have clearly said this message of hope is about social Europe. It's about a Europe that is aware and puts into force a climate policy that prevents catastrophes, as we are seeing nearly permanently in Europe and all over the world. It's also a Europe that has a strong economy in the international competition, but an economy that works for people, an economy that pays fair wages, that has good working conditions, but also that is geared to innovation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, And also a Europe that is a Europe of security. We live in a difficult geopolitical environment. We have a war in Europe. Europe needs to build up its security and not only external but also internal security. So we have to face a lot of challenges, and we have to do it now in a democratic way. In a way where parties, democratic parties, show their ability to face the challenges and find the solutions citizens expect from us. Thank you.

Q&A, You've just outlined what you'd like to see from the next commission mandate. If you don't get that from Ursula von der Leyen, will you not be supporting her for a second term? And does that not just leave her open to working with those to her right? Thanks.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, I think I heard very clearly the messages coming from Ursula von der Leyen, so I am absolutely aware and confident that there is a readiness to work together and to find the right compromises, but also the right solutions. I think everybody has got the message out of this election, and it is important that now we sit together and we work on this solid, strong program, a program that responds to people's expectation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, So I do not want now to speculate on any negative outcome. I am confident that we are able together to find the way, how we can govern Europe in a difficult time, and also in a time where expectations to this Parliament and to the future Commission are very high.

Q&A, I wanted to to know if you want to enlarge the current coalition to the Green Party.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nicolas SCHMIT, Party of European Socialists Lead Candidate, Well, you know, the position of the Social Democrats is very clear. We are open to all democratic forces, as we are closed to all those who want dismantle Europe, be it ECR or ID. But all democratic forces, those who share the values of Europe, those who want to build a stronger Europe, we are open.