ASDE? APSD? PASD? The Socialists search for a new identity
The Socialist Group (as was) is expected to re-form in the next couple of days under a new name. The Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (ASDE) - which has been used frequently since the election (including on this site) - seems likely to give way to the ‘Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament’ (APSD is being mooted as the acronym, from the French version of the name).
According to Eurosduvillage, the rules of the Socialist Group will be amended to include the new name, and to define the group as an alliance of “progressive forces in the European Parliament working for a Europe of solidarity, social justice, equality, sustainable social and environmental development, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and peace”.
The new rules state that all members of parties affiliated to the Party of European Socialists or the Italian Democratic Party (PD) will be members as of right of the new formation. A member of the PD will be one of the seven vice-presidents of the Group.
More information on the name and constitution of the Group is likely to come later this week.