Evelyn Regner is an experienced Austrian politician and lawyer, currently serving as a Vice-President of the European Parliament and as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since July 2009. She represents the Social Democratic Party of Austria and is a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.
Born on January 24, 1966, in Vienna, Austria, Regner pursued her education in law at the University of Salzburg. Before stepping into politics, she worked at Amnesty International as a refugee consultant and later as a lawyer for the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB).
Regner started her career in the Social Department of ÖGB and later headed its Brussels office. She was deeply involved with various European trade unions and international organizations, enhancing her expertise in EU and international affairs before her election to the European Parliament.
Regner has been serving as an MEP since 2009, focusing on workers' rights, financial markets, and gender equality. Her legislative work includes roles on several committees, notably as vice-chairwoman of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and coordinator for the S&D group.
She has also been actively involved in forming the legislative framework for financial transparency and corporate responsibility in the EU.
Since January 2022, Regner has held the position of Vice-President of the European Parliament, where she oversees gender equality initiatives, social responsibility, and international labor relations. She played a pivotal role in initiating the European Gender Equality Week and has been a staunch advocate for improving the socio-economic position of women across Europe.
Regner's political work is marked by her commitment to tax justice, aiming for fair taxation of multinational corporations and combating tax evasion. She champions a socially equitable Europe, advocating for Europe-wide application of collective agreements and minimum social standards.
Her efforts extend to promoting employee participation in corporate governance and fighting income inequality, especially concerning women's rights and opportunities.
In her current tenure, Regner serves on several important delegations and committees, including the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. She is also involved with the Delegation for relations with South Asia and Brazil, playing a significant role in shaping the EU's foreign relations and international policy initiatives.
The Party of European Socialists (PES) is a major political group in Europe that represents the socialist, social democratic, and labor movements across European Union member states. As a prominent advocate for progressive policies, PES focuses on promoting equality, social justice, sustainable development, and democratic governance.
The party is affiliated with various national parties from EU countries, and it significantly influences policies through its representation in European institutions, particularly in the European Parliament.
PES advocates for robust economic policies that ensure fair wages, job security, and workers' rights. The manifesto calls for a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of jobs, enhance workers' rights through stronger European Works Councils, and ensure fair wages that keep pace with inflation.
It also includes specific measures like the adoption of the Platform Workers' Directive and enhancements to the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Central to the PES manifesto is the commitment to environmental sustainability through a Green and Social Deal. This includes ambitious goals for climate neutrality by 2050, substantial investments in renewable energy, and the pursuit of a circular economy.
The manifesto emphasizes a just transition that ensures economic transformations do not disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.
PES is committed to strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law within the EU. The manifesto highlights measures to combat corruption, support media freedom, and enhance the transparency of governance processes.
It also expresses a firm stance against the far-right and other anti-democratic movements that threaten the values of the European Union.
The manifesto asserts a strong commitment to feminism, aiming to empower women in all spheres of life. This includes legislative measures to ensure gender equality in pay and employment, protections against gender-based violence, and ensuring women's control over their reproductive health.
PES proposes a proactive European role in global security and diplomacy. The manifesto supports a strong common security and defense policy that complements NATO, and it emphasizes the need for Europe to speak with a unified voice on the global stage.
Additionally, PES supports the continuation of EU enlargement, particularly with countries in the Western Balkans, and seeks to enhance partnerships with key global regions.
A commitment to fighting discrimination is a key part of the PES platform. The party aims to enforce and extend anti-discrimination laws to cover all forms of prejudice, including racism, sexism, LGBTIQ-phobia, and discrimination based on disability.
These efforts include strengthening the EU’s frameworks for gender and LGBTIQ equality. The Party of European Socialists envisions a Europe that is inclusive, just, and prepared to face modern challenges with progressive solutions.
Their 2024 manifesto outlines a comprehensive approach to social, economic, and environmental issues, aiming to build a Europe that upholds the values of democracy, fairness, and sustainability at its core. Through its policy proposals, PES seeks to not only address the immediate needs of European citizens but also lay down a long-term framework for a stable and prosperous European Union.