Party of European Socialists (PES) brings together the Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour Parties of the European Union (EU). Its aims include:
the strengthening of the socialist and social democratic movement in the Union and throughout Europe;
the development of close working relationships between the national member parties, their parliamentary groups, the Parliamentary Group of the PES and the Party;
the definition of common policies for the European Union;
and
the adoption of a common manifesto for elections to the European Parliament.
There are 28 member parties from 25 nations of the new Europe and Norway. In addition, there are seven associate and six observer parties. The PES was founded in 1992 following the Treaty on European Union and the recognition of the importance of political parties at a European level in Article 191 of the Treaty. It succeeded the Confederation of Socialist Parties of the European Community, which had been set up in 1974.
