Frans Timmermans with Antton Rönnholm, Leader of the Finnish SDP (L), and Jan-Erik Støstad, Secretary General, SAMAK (R)
Decent working conditions, social dialogue, tax justice and the future for young people were all on the agenda as Frans Timmermans took part in the annual meeting of the Cooperation Committee for the social democratic parties and trade union in the Nordics (SAMAK) in Helsinki, today.
Timmermans joined Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and PES member party leaders Mette Frederiksen, (Socialdemokratiet, Denmark), Antton Rönnholm (SDP, Finland), Logi Einarsson (Samfylkingin, Iceland) and Jonas Gahr Støre (Arbeiderpartiet, Norway) at the event.
In his opening speech, Timmermans said:
“If we change our economy into a sustainable one, with high levels of social protection, welfare and wellbeing, then people will support us. For the next five years in Europe we must focus on these issues, creating more security in work, supporting trade unions, and transforming our economy with social sustainability front and centre.”
Timmermans also took part in a panel discussion with the party leaders on The Fight for Progressive Policies in the Nordics and Europe. Discussing youth participation with the other leaders, he said “The upcoming European elections are the first time that people born this millennium can vote. We need to be the party for people born this millennium, to partner up with them to tackle climate change and build a sustainable society.
Want to know more about the Nordic model? Check out this handy guide from SAMAK – the Nordic Model for Dummies: All You Need to Know in 6 Minutes.