WHO WE ARE
As in any other political assembly, members of the Committee of the Regions form political groups depending on their political affinities. Political groups play a crucial role in defining the political priorities of the Committee of the Regions and organising the debates at the plenary sessions.

The Group of the European Socialists in the Committee of the Regions is the youngest in the Socialist family of the European Institutions.

The involvement of the PES Group in European Socialist bodies has grown in importance thanks to the dedication of the former Presidents of the Group, namely Laurette ONKELINX (BE), Manfred DAMMEYER (DE), Albert BORE (UK) and Michel DELEBARRE (FR), who have gradually enabled it to establish itself in the European Socialist family.

Mercedes BRESSO, President of the Piedmont Region (Italy), was elected President of the PES Group for the 4th Term of Office of the Committee of the Regions, succeeding Michel DELEBARRE, who became then President of the Institution.

As the PES Group is a part of the European Socialist family, full and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions who belong to a party which is a member of the Party of European Socialists are automatically members of the Group. The PES Group Bureau can grant membership to members not belonging to a PES member party, but sharing the social democratic values of the PES Group.

http://www.cor.europa.eu/pesweb/about.html

regards

Claudette