Home Maria WALSH

The Resolution on the Conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 underline that the recovery fund is a “historic move” but warn at the same time that long-term EU priorities are put at risk by the provisional agreement reached at the level of EU leaders. Flagship EU programmes for climate protection, digital transition, health, youth, culture, research or border management have been significantly downsized. The cuts made undermine the foundations of a sustainable and resilient recovery, and this is not acceptable for our citizens. I voted in favour of this Resolution to give to the European Parliament a clear mandate to negotiate with the Council a more ambitious deal. We can have a better and more future-oriented Multiannual Financial Framework, which is able to equip the EU with the necessary resources to address the challenges of the next decades.

The proposal of the revision of the Employment guidelines by the Commission suggested promoting the dimension of environmental sustainability towards a vision of a strong social Europe, giving more prominence to the European Pillar of Social Rights in view of its implementation and to integrating the Sustainable Development Goals to serve as a reference. The MEP tabled amendments to call on Member States also to take into account the unprecedented situation created in the labour markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and provide for solutions for all (employers- employees). I voted in favour, calling on Member States to improve access to labour markets for vulnerable groups, to fight poverty and foster social inclusion and - especially - to enhance gender equality as a tool to reduce imbalances in labour markets, voting in favour of a pay transparency and a reduction of pension gaps.