The Party of Socialists and Democrats (PSD) has asked to strengthen its presence within the Party of European Socialists (PES), seeking to move from its current status as an observer party to that of an associate party. The request was formally made by PSD international secretary Gerardo Giovagnoli during a meeting with representatives of the European socialist family.
The PSD links the initiative to San Marino’s path toward the Association Agreement with the European Union. “The imminent signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union, which integrates San Marino into the European Single Market and ushers in a new era, allows for closer ties with the Socialist Parties of other countries on the continent, and in particular with the party that represents them all, the Party of European Socialists (PES),” the statement reads.
The party also recalled the support it has received from the PES over the years in the Republic’s European journey. “The PES has supported the PSD’s European efforts in recent years, both politically and within the European Parliament, as well as through direct participation in PSD events.” The PSD also thanked “all the Members of the European Parliament who worked on the report approved by a large majority in February of this year, which contained significant recognition for our country and guaranteed its support throughout the future association process.”
The formal step took place during a meeting on Thursday, September 3, when Giovagnoli met with MEPs Stefano Bonaccini, president of the PD, and Laura Ballarin, together with PES secretary Giacomo Filibeck and deputy secretary Yonnec Polet. “During the meeting, Giovagnoli handed the PES a letter requesting a change of status to raise the PSD’s level of affiliation from Observer Party to Associate Party,” the statement reports.
The PSD considers this difference in status significant, especially in light of the relationship between San Marino and the European Union. “Given that only parties from EU member countries can be Full Members, the move to Associate Party status represents an important step for the PSD, highlighting not only what the Party has achieved, but what the Republic of San Marino itself has accomplished — a coherent and proportionate political and party evolution.”
According to the PSD, Filibeck responded favorably to the request, which must now be submitted to the PES’s relevant bodies. “PES Secretary Filibeck, a longtime friend of the PSD, welcomed the request, which will be submitted to the PES bodies as soon as possible, congratulating the PSD on the work done in recent years and acknowledging the PSD’s cooperation.”
Finally, the party places the initiative within the broader effort to strengthen international relations already underway in recent months: “Following the PSD-PD Memorandum of Understanding, another piece of the work of openness and cooperation has been completed.”
