Sánchez announces that he will present his candidacy to lead the Socialist International

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has announced his intention to present his candidacy to lead the Socialist International (SI).

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
25 September 2022 Sunday 19:41
5 Reads
Sánchez announces that he will present his candidacy to lead the Socialist International

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has announced his intention to present his candidacy to lead the Socialist International (SI). He thus transferred it this Thursday at the meeting of the Presidium that this organization has held in New York, a few hours before intervening in the United Nations General Assembly. “There could be no higher or dearer cause for those of us who sit here. For this reason, it will be a privilege to have the drive of all of you to carry it out, ”Sánchez assured when announcing his candidacy.

Sánchez thus aspires to relieve the Greek Yorgos Papandreou, from Pasok, who has held the presidency of the SI since 2006, during the 26th congress that this organization, which brings together all the social democratic, socialist and labor parties, will hold precisely in Madrid the next days 25 to 27 November.

"I aspire to contribute my experience to start a new time in this organization," said Sánchez. And he has shown his willingness to continue the legacy of "my friend George Papandreou, and leaders such as Willy Brandt, Pierre Mauroy or the current Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres."

“Social democracy is the only viable alternative both to the individualism of the neoliberal order and to the return of extremism”, Sánchez defended, for whom both phenomena “go hand in hand”. The conservative response to the latest crisis caused a wave of inequality, which in turn increased mistrust in institutions. This context of the dismantling of the welfare state was the breeding ground for the appearance of extremist currents with which the Liberals are now allied as the only option for survival, according to the arguments of the PSOE leader.

The leader of the Portuguese Socialists and Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, has supported the proposals defended by Sánchez, such as the necessary reinforcement of this organization and the need to face the current challenges faced by the progressive parties that comprise it.

Faced with this conservative union, Sánchez has cataloged social democratic ideas as "those responsible for the highest levels of progress and well-being achieved in contemporary societies."

In his speech to the SI in New York, the leader of the Spanish socialists has claimed to have "unwavering faith in the validity of the principles of social democracy". An ideology that he has proposed updating to modern challenges.

The President of the Government thus called for "fighting the battle for democracy, rights and civil liberties with more force than ever". "The chain of crises has caused principles that we believed to be fully consolidated to be at risk of involution," Sánchez argued.

“We are the Social Democrats who have always opted to advance, to conquer new rights and freedoms and we will continue to do so. Together, together, and with renewed strength”, added the head of the Spanish Executive, who has been in New York all week for the UN General Assembly meeting.