Statutes of the Socialist International

1. THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL is an association of political parties and organisations which seek to establish democratic socialism.

2. PURPOSE OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

The purpose of the Socialist International is to strengthen relations between the affiliated parties and to coordinate their political attitudes and activities by consent.

The Socialist International shall also seek to extend the relations between the Socialist International and other socialist-oriented parties not in membership which desire cooperation.

3. COMPOSITION OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

The Socialist International consists of:

3.1 FULL MEMBER PARTIES

which shall have the right to speak and to vote, and the obligation to pay affiliation fees.

3.2 CONSULTATIVE PARTIES

which shall have the right to speak, and the obligation to pay affiliation fees, but shall not exercise a vote.

3.3 OBSERVER PARTIES

which shall have the right to attend and observe statutory meetings and the obligation to pay an annual fee, but shall not exercise a vote.

3.4 FRATERNAL ORGANISATIONS

namely the Socialist International Women (SIW), the International Union of Socialist Youth, and the International Falcon Movement/Socialist Educational International (IFM/SEI), which shall have the right to speak and to vote.

3.5 ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS

of an international or regional character recognised by the Socialist International which shall have the right to speak, but shall not exercise a vote.
 

3.6 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF SI MEMBER PARTIES

who wish to be active in the organisation and may register themselves as SI activists. The SI Presidium adopts the operating rules for SI activists. A supportive membership of the SI is possible.

 

4. ORGANS OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

The following organs of the Socialist International shall serve its purpose:

  • the Congress
  • the Council
  • the Presidium
  • the Ethics Committee
  • the Finance and Administration Committee
  • the Secretariat

5. ORGANISATION OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

The composition of the different organs such as Presidium, Finance and Administration Committee and Ethics Committee of the SI must reflect a fair geographical balance of SI member parties. Our objective is to have an equal number of men and women at all levels of our organisation. Equality between men and women is an issue of human rights for our movement. Representation of either gender in all elected statutory and non-statutory bodies of the SI must not be less than one third. This provision must be reflected in the composition of the delegations of member parties to SI congresses and councils. To ensure the representation of women within the SI Presidium, in case of difficulties the SIW will be consulted.

5.1 THE CONGRESS

The Congress is the supreme body of the Socialist International. It proclaims its principles, determines its Statutes and, on the recommendation of the Council of the Socialist International, decides by a two-thirds majority of all the members upon the admission and status of new members and organisations in relation to the Socialist International. The Congress shall receive a report of activities for the period since the last Congress.

The Congress, to be convened by the Council, shall meet regularly every four years. The Council shall decide its time and place, and draw up its agenda.

5.1.1 Voting rights in the Congress

Full member parties shall have the right to speak and to vote. The fraternal organisations, Socialist International Women, International Union of Socialist Youth, and International Falcon Movement/Socialist Educational International, shall have the right to speak and to vote.

Consultative parties and associated organisations shall have the right to speak but not to vote.

5.1.2 Representation at Congress

The delegations of member parties and fraternal organisations shall be limited to eight persons, those of consultative parties and associated organisations to four, and those of parties with observer status to three.

5.1.3 Expulsion of Parties

Decisions to expel parties and organisations from membership may be taken only by the Congress by a majority of two-thirds of parties voting.

5.2 THE COUNCIL

5.2.1 The Council of the Socialist International shall consist of all member parties, and the Socialist International Women, International Union of Socialist Youth, and International Falcon Movement/Socialist Educational International, each having one vote.

5.2.2 The Council shall make all necessary decisions of policy and principle between meetings of the Congress, and make recommendations to the Congress concerning new members, suspensions and expulsions and amendments to the Statutes.

5.2.3 The Council convenes the Congress. In addition, the Council shall have the right to convene special conferences, expert conferences, regional conferences, as well as study groups and committees, to appoint the chairman and secretary of these bodies, and to determine their terms of reference. The SI Council must meet regularly twice a year.

5.2.4 The Council approves the annual budget, presented by the Finance and Administration Committee.

5.2.5 The Council, when informed by the Finance and Administration Committee that a member party's membership fees have not been paid for three years, takes note that this party ceases to be a member of the Socialist International.

5.2.6 The Council shall establish its own rules of procedure.

5.3 THE ETHICS COMMITTEE

The Ethics Committee shall consist of fifteen member parties and fraternal organisations elected by the Council from among the Council members. The Chair will be elected by the Committee. The Ethics Committee shall consider all applications for membership in the Socialist International, monitor respect for the Ethical Charter by member parties and recommend to the Council decisions on membership and on cases of non-compliance with the Charter.

The quorum of the Ethics Committee shall be eight member parties. The Ethics Committee should aim to meet at least two times per year in addition to meetings organised in connection with the Council.

5.4 THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

The Finance and Administration Committee shall consist of fifteen member parties and fraternal organisations elected by the Council from among the Council members. The Finance and Administration Committee shall consider reports and recommendations from the Council, the Secretary General, and individual members of the Council. It shall supervise the general and financial administration of the Socialist International and recommend to the Council the scale of dues to be levied by the International.

The Finance and Administration Committee shall approve the terms of engagement of the political officers.

The quorum of the Finance and Administration Committee shall be eight member parties. The SI Finance and Administration Committee (SIFAC) must meet regularly at least once a year in addition to the meetings prior to the Council. It shall prepare and recommend to the Council a budget for the following year.

6. FINANCE

The Secretariat's expenditure shall be covered by:

* affiliation fees from the member parties, consultative parties and those with observer status

* contributions from fraternal and associated organisations

* donations

6.1 AFFILIATION FEES

The affiliation fees and contributions shall be fixed in relation to the finances and membership of parties and organisations.

Member parties and organisations shall be eligible to attend and to vote at meetings of the Socialist International provided they have fulfilled their financial obligations up to and including the current calendar year by January 31.

6.2 PROPERTIES AND RESERVE FUND

The freehold and leasehold properties and the Reserve Fund of the Socialist International shall be vested in three Trustees. The Trustees may act by a majority and may in emergencies allow any property to stand and to remain in the name of a nominee trust corporation.

The appointment of the Trustees shall be effected by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority vote at a meeting of the Council and the powers and duties of the Trustees shall be similarly determined. The term of office for the Trustees shall be determined by the Council.

6.3 BORROWING POWERS

Those officials empowered to operate the bank accounts of the Socialist International have the authority to borrow monies as follows:

£ Approval required

0 – Ten percent of the annual budget Secretary General

Over ten percent of the annual budget Finance and Administration Committee

6.4 LAY AUDITORS

Three lay auditors shall be appointed by the Council to inspect the accounts of the Socialist International on a yearly basis.

7. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

7.1 THE PRESIDENT

who shall be elected by open elections of candidates at the Congress. Candidates should register by transmitting their intentions to the SI office no later than a month prior to the Congress. The President of the SI is elected for a four year term. It is possible to elect the President for one additional four year term.

The President shall convene meetings of the Presidium, consisting of the President, Vice-Presidents and the Secretary General, for discussion and preparation of specific questions. For the same purpose the President may also convene a meeting of a limited number of members of the Presidium. The Presidium should meet just before each Council and at least once a year separately.

The President shall convene conferences of party leaders.

The President, together with the Secretary General, and if necessary in consultation with one or more Vice-Presidents, shall take political decisions at his or her discretion between meetings of the Council.

The President has the right to attend all the meetings of the Socialist International.

7.2 THE VICE-PRESIDENTS

who shall be elected by the Congress of the SI reflecting the geographical and political reality of its member parties. The number of vice-presidents shall be a minimum of two to a maximum of thirty-six.

Candidates should register by transmitting their intentions to the SI office no later than a month prior to the Congress.

If a person elected in the SI Congress is not able to participate in the work of the SI Presidium, his/her party can propose a new candidate for the post of the SI vice-president to take the place of the member elected in the Congress, who will be appointed to the position by the SI Council.

The President, or a Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings of Congress and Council.

7.3 THE SECRETARY GENERAL

who shall be elected by open elections of candidates at the Congress. Candidates should register by transmitting their intentions to the SI office no later than a month prior to the Congress. The Secretary General of the SI is elected for a four year term. It is possible to elect the Secretary General for one additional four year term.

The Secretary General shall supervise the administrative functions of the Secretariat and be responsible for the organisation of meetings held under the auspices of the Socialist International.

He or she shall, in addition, be responsible for the archives and, subject to the endorsement of the Finance and Administration Committee, engage the Secretariat's staff and fix the terms of their engagement. He or she shall prepare financial statements and budget estimates for consideration by the Finance and Administration Committee.

The Secretary General has the right to attend all the meetings of the Socialist International.

7.4 THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

who shall be elected by the Finance and Administration Committee. He or she shall preside over all meetings of the Finance and Administration Committee. He or she should be consulted by the Secretary General on urgent financial and administrative matters in between meetings of the Finance and Administration Committee.  

 7.5 OFFICERS WHO CEASE IN THEIR FUNCTIONS DURING THE INTER-CONGRESS PERIOD

In the case of officers who cease in their functions, the Council can in the interim elect others to fulfil the positions until the following Congress.

8. CHANGING THE STATUTES

Amendments to the Statutes can be made only by the Congress, on the recommendation of the Council, and by a majority of two-thirds of the parties and organisations voting.