With the entry of the PDS in the Socialist International as a full member, the entry foreseen at the beginning of January within the EP Socialist Group, and the creation in November 1992 of the Party of European Socialists, the socialist and social-democratic European Left has brought about a symbolic reunification at a time when the political pendulum in the West is swinging back towards more social and human preoccupations, and when the failure of all-out neo-liberalism has been demonstrated. Indeed, the era of turbulence which followed the sweeping away of totalitarian Communism is far from over, but the swing towards the right, which has been the tendency of the past three years, marks a clear return towards the values of social democracy, liberty and solidarity. In the West, no one dares quote the doctrines of Margaret Thatcher or Ronald Reagan any longer. Bill Clinton's victory over George Bush is the most dramatic manifestation of this phenomenon. In the East, the Chicago School's influence has been f

elt for a long time; the people are beginning to realise this and to express it by their vote, which happened recently in Lithuania. In this context, the creation of the Party of European Socialists aims also to release a new socialist and social-democratic dynamic in Europe. The EP Socialist Group has largely supported the creation of this new party. For if the central position that it occupies within the EP has allowed it to reach a remarkable level of cohesion on its main challenges - institutional reform, the ratification of Maastricht, economic and social cohesion, environmental policy and the maintenance of an open Community - it has also witnessed the distancing of certain forces of the Left, which have adopted an anti-Maastricht position, as well as the growing difficulty of cooperating with the European People's Party (EPP) since the EPP brought the British and Danish conservatives into its ranks. This positioned it a bit more to right, like a true conservative force. For this reason, the Socialist

Group has sought to strengthen itself since the beginning of the legislature, through a process which will reach its culmination in January 1993 when it welcomes 20 members of the PDS into its ranks. This did not happen without a strong bipolarisation of the institution where Christian Democracy, which it is still called, can no longer play the role of the bat in the fable - "I am on the left, look at my wings, I am on the right, long live the rats". This is way, as a counterpoint to this regrouping of the right, the reunification of the European Left has an historic significance with its inclusion of a party whose competence and European convictions are most welcome. Strengthened by this majority of reinforced progress in the EP, we are ready to face the challenges which confront us at the end of the legislature: first to ratify Maastricht, apply it, give it its full meaning and then extend it through an initiative of growth and employment before the new institutional reform planned for 1996. But also, on a

political level, to coordinate effectively the socialist movement on all levels, especially at the decision-making one. We will also have to address the ideological void left in the East and elsewhere, where only the damages brought by liberalism remain. But we must all show to our citizens the daily influence that we have on European legislation and develop a programme common to all our parties for an electoral campaign in 1994 where we will give a clear indication of the growing conservatism of the grouping of the right. Finally, we will address the increasing racist, xenophobic and fascist activities which are unfortunately spreading throughout our continent. For this we reckon with a new hope, a new enthusiasm, a new home for the European left, but also new responsibilities and a new commitment closer to the citizens who elect the EP.

Jean-Pierre COT,

Socialist Group President