Lukšič, who attended the PES congress as part of a seven-member delegation of the SD, pointed to Schulz's experience as PES deputy group leader and in the last two and a half years as Parliament president.

"He is a true European and social democrat and this exactly the type of person we need in this position," Lukšič said about Schulz, who was the only candidate for the post.

PES also confirmed its manifest "For a New Europe" or programme for the May EU elections. Lukšič said the party wants to secure the political support needed to change Europe.

"Europe, as it was under the domination of neoconservatives and neoliberals, led to a major crisis, to a situation when we just cannot exit the crisis and when it is being solved on the backs of the weakest: the weakest countries, economies and people," Lukšič said.

He noted that European socialists have prime ministers in 12 members states, while they are also in the ruling coalitions of seven more countries.

"This is a good starting point and we can believe that this power at national level will be transferred to the European Parliament too."

Lukšič meanwhile announced that the SD would drawn up the party's slate for the 25 May EU election by mid-April.