On 15th April, Ivari Padar, Estonian Social Democratic Party leader and head of list for the European elections, met with PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and PES Secretary General Philip Cordery at the PES office in Brussels. The PES campaign blog spoke to Mr Padar about the election campaign.


How do you feel the campaign is going so far?

Spring is in the air! I believe that this campaign will be an active and positive one; that's what we need given the complex global economic situation. So I hope that the electorate too can feel positive about the vote.


So you're feeling optimistic?

Yes, people are feeling good about the election, and are showing that our campaign is a positive one. That's important: because many other parties are making this election about negative campaigning.


And what do you think are the biggest issues that the PES and its member parties are tackling?

General security and welfare, sticking together in difficult times. Solidarity!