Letter from Poul Nyrup Rasmussen‏

                                                                PES activists
                                                     Brussels, 21st November 2011




                                                                    Dear friends,







Sometimes in life, as in politics, there are moments you cannot miss, for me, this is one of
them. After the PES Council and Convention I will be stepping down as PES President. For me
the time has come to start a new chapter of my life. I have had the honour and the pleasure to
contribute to a crucial phase of the development of our European party. Friends, I feel the PES
has been with me all my political life. I first took part in PES Leaders' meetings in my capacity as
party leader of the Danish Social Democrats and then as Prime Minister for 9 years, before being
elected as PES President in April 2004.

And now it is time once more for change – this time of a personal nature. My entire
political career I have listened to the body politic and tried to make the best call. Now it is time to
listen to the demands of my own body and make the responsible call. After several decades in
national and European politics, the time has now come for me to focus on my family, on projects
close to my heart in Denmark, and on trying to stay in good shape.
It has been a privilege and an honour to serve as President of the Party of European
Socialists. I believe that we have met the challenge we set in 2004 well. More needs to be done,
but we can proudly say that we have turned the PES into a real European party, with a clear
political agenda and a visible public profile. Guided by our principles, clearly expressed, and firmly
anchored in the roots of socialist and social democratic values we have shown Europe’s people
the clear lines between our progressive way and their conservative way.

The PES today is a key actor in European politics, constantly outlining the key left right
divide that is at play in the decisions made in Brussels that affect people’s lives all across Europe.
Over the years you have heard me say it again and again: It’s all about the four democratic
houses: local, regional, national and European. The same political choices exist in each one. Not
so long ago this was an unusual thing to say. Today, thanks to our common efforts that is no
longer the case. You have been crucial in this process.

Since the beginning of PES activists in 2005, you have been the root of the future of
European politics. From that small group in Vienna, PES activists has grown, year by year, up to
today where you are a vital, essential element of our party . In this short time, your dedication to
building our European Party has been a daily source of inspiration to me. Your belief in a better
Europe has been central to the growth of the PES and is central to the renewal process currently
underway. At a time when Europe is overwhelmingly dominated by Conservatives, it is your work
over the next years that will turn the tide. I am so proud of the development of PES activists into
the dynamic, vibrant grassroots movement during my time as President of the PES.