Text tabled : A7-0239/2011

  Philippe Boulland (PPE), in writing. – (FR) Social services of general interest (SSGIs) are subdivisions of services of general interest (SGIs) and make a very significant contribution in terms of jobs, economic activity and purchasing power by providing aid and services from which the public and private market benefits. I voted in favour of this report, because SSGIs are essential to the proper operation of the European Community. A healthy society and a healthy economy cannot exist without intelligent management of SSGIs in the Member States and, consequently, in the European Union, or without services meeting the needs of citizens and internal market operators. Indeed, this report proposes to the Member States a programme for reforming rules that have become too onerous as regards public procurement and specific aid for SSGIs so as to promote the achievement of EU social goals. The proposals will enable national and local authorities to adopt a more flexible approach in the funding of SSGIs and, therefore, make SSGIs, and the market, more competitive.