Propaganda about the Juncker plan

18.2.2015

Question for written answer E-002550-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marco Zanni (EFDD) , Laura Agea (EFDD) , Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD) , Rosa D'Amato (EFDD) , Ignazio Corrao (EFDD) , Marco Valli (EFDD) , Marco Zullo (EFDD) , Laura Ferrara (EFDD) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD) , Eleonora Evi (EFDD) , Dario Tamburrano (EFDD)

Last week, two of Italy's leading daily newspapers published half-page adverts for the much talked-about Juncker plan. The advertising campaign, which was funded by the Commission Representation in Italy, is intended to highlight the new opportunities the plan will offer to governments, investors, businesses, regional authorities, trade unions and community organisations.

In addition to this, Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen has embarked on a roadshow to promote the investment plan, starting in Rome on 15 January 2015 and taking in all 28 Member States and some non-EU countries.

Can the Commission say how much is being spent on publicising the Juncker plan?

Given the serious economic crisis and the doubts surrounding the effectiveness of the plan, would the Commission not agree that ‘propaganda’ of this kind should be kept to a minimum, if not avoided altogether?