Frans Timmermans today hailed Sweden’s commitment to European values and democracy, social policies and climate protection.
Speaking at the Congress of the Social Democratic Party (SAP) in Örebro, the PES Common Candidate said:
“I would like to salute the Swedish Government and Stefan Löfven. In whose hands is Olaf Palme’s legacy better saved than in the hands of Stefan Löfven? It is time to stand up for sustainable Europe. It is time to stand up for a Europe based on values. It is time that we give a voice to the silent majority in our societies who do not want confrontation, who do not want to be chained to hatred, who do not want to exclude others, but want to work with others. It is time to be their voices. It is time that we show that there is an alternative to hatred.
“It is time that we show that we can create a sustainable Europe, and do it very quickly. It is time that we teach our children to dream again. It is time that we show that there is no difference in equality between men and women. It is time that we put an end to the pay gap. It is time that we put an end to the pension gap. It is time that social democracy takes the reins and takes Europe into a brighter future.”
Frans Timmermans travelled to Sweden from a campaign event in Spain to participate in the SAP EU campaign kick-off Congress alongside Prime Minster Stefan Löfven and the head of the SAP European List, Helene Fritzon. At the congress he held meetings with the SAP leadership and gave a joint press conference with Helene Fritzon and EU affairs minister Hans Dahlgren.
Watch Frans Timmermans address to the Congress here.