Race is on to lead European Socialists

The Party of European Socialists (PES) was expected to vote for its leader on 11 June 2015. EurActiv reported that the only contestants would be the incumbent Sergei Stanishev and Spain's Enrique Baron Crespo, who served as President of the European Parliament between 1989 and 1992.

Insiders told the website Mr Stanishev was likely to win the election, counting on the support of the Austrian and German parties. This scenario was confirmed on 12 June 2015, following Mr Crespo's withdrawal from the competition just before the vote.

ESO: Background information: European Parliament lifts immunity of PES President Stanishev http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-parliament-lifts-immunity-of-pes-president-stanishev/

EurActiv, 15.06.15: Stanishev re-elected PES President http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/stanishev-re-elected-pes-president-315383

Hungary Today, 15.06.15: European Socialists Slam Hungarian Right-Wing At Congress Held In Budapest http://hungarytoday.hu/news/european-socialists-slam-hungarian-right-wing-congress-held-budapest-86478

Party of European Socialists: News, 13.06.15: New European Socialist Leadership Elected http://www.pes.eu/new_european_socialist_leadership_elected

Politico, 15.06.15: Meet the new Socialist boss… http://www.politico.eu/article/meet-the-new-socialist-boss/

---