Frans Timmermans selected as socialist lead candidate ahead of 2019 EP election

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Publication Date 2018
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Summary:

The European Commission's First Vice-President Frans Timmermans received on 5 November 2018 the support from leadership of the Party of European Socialists (PES) to be its Spitzenkandidat for the 2019 European Parliament elections. This followed the announcement by Maroš Šefčovič of his withdrawal from the race.

His name was later confirmed at the PES annual congress in December 2018.

Further information:

Following the opening of a period for nominations, the two candidates put forward their bids to become the party's lead candidate for the forthcoming European elections.

Mr Šefčovič - one of the European Commission's Vice-Presidents - officially announced his candidacy on 17 September. The decision stemmed from the need to bridge the divide between East and West within the European Union. His decision to withdraw followed a set of internal party debates, in which Mr Timmermans seemed to gather a larger support base from national parties across Europe.

Related Links
News
EurActiv, 05.11.18: Timmermans to be Socialist Spitzenkandidat after Sefcovic withdraws https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/timmermans-to-be-socialist-spitzenkandidat-after-sefcovic-withdraws/
Politico, 05.11.18: Maroš Šefčovič withdraws from Socialist race for Commission top job https://www.politico.eu/article/maros-sefcovic-withdraws-from-socialist-race-for-commission-top-job/
Politico, 10.10.18: Frans Timmermans to join race for Commission top job https://www.politico.eu/article/frans-timmermans-to-join-race-for-commission-top-job-spitzenkandidat/
The Slovak Spectator, 06.11.18: Šefčovič will not run for the top EC post https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20954195/sefcovic-will-not-run-for-the-top-ec-post.html
Politico, 17.09.18: Maroš Šefčovič to run for Commission top job https://www.politico.eu/article/maros-sefcovic-commission-social-democrats-to-run-for-commission-top-job/
EurActiv, 17.09.18: Sefcovic officially enters the Spitzenkandidaten battle https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/sefcovic-officially-enters-the-spitzenkandidaten-battle/
Dutchnews.nl, 10.10.18: Dutch EU commissioner Frans Timmermans sets sights on Juncker’s job https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/10/dutch-eu-commissioner-frans-timmermans-sets-sights-on-junckers-job/
EurActiv, 10.12.18: Socialists entrust Timmermans to replace Juncker at EU helm https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/socialists-entrust-timmermans-to-replace-juncker-at-eu-helm/
Politico, 08.12.18: Adapt or become obsolete, lead candidate Timmermans tells European Socialists https://www.politico.eu/article/frans-timmermans-socialists-spitzenkandidat-adapt-or-become-obsolete/
Deutsche Welle, 09.12.18: Frans Timmermans elected European socialists' lead candidate for 2019 vote https://p.dw.com/p/39kZn
RTL News, 08.12.18: Socialists pick Dutchman Timmermans for tilt at top EU job https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/1277947.html
Euronews, 09.12.18: Europe’s Socialists choose their leader for May’s Parliamentary elections https://www.euronews.com/2018/12/09/europe-s-socialists-choose-their-leader-for-may-s-parliamentary-elections
EurActiv, 28.01.19: Hungary takes aim at ‘Soros man’ Timmermans https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-elections-2019/news/hungary-takes-aim-at-soros-man-timmermans/
Politico, 03.02.19: Frans Timmermans’ European election weapon of choice: Orbán https://www.politico.eu/article/frans-timmermans-eu-election-weapon-of-choice-viktor-orban-far-right/

Official
PES: News, 08.12.18: Frans Timmermans launches campaign to become President of the European Commission in Lisbon https://www.pes.eu/en/news-events/news/detail/Frans-Timmermans-launches-campaign-to-become-President-of-the-European-Commission-in-Lisbon/

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