Commission’s corporate obsession pushes our needs aside
Eurobarometer shows disconnect from DGs and reality.
Data published last week from the European Parliament’s Eurobarometer survey have shown the clear disconnect between the priorities of von der Leyen’s second Commission and the needs of working people.
While the public image of the EU remains positive, with increased optimism amongst respondents and a desire for Europe to take a larger internal role, the core interests of citizens do not match with this Commission’s policy agenda.
With 41% of responses placing it as the highest priority, ‘inflation, rising prices and the cost of living’ is the key concern, with ‘the fight against poverty and social exclusion’ at 31% representing two of the three main topics respondents believe the European Parliament should prioritise.
Despite this, the second von der Leyen Commission has sought to deregulate the European market under the guise of “simplification” and “competitiveness”, following the wishes of large multinational companies.
As we know, no social legislation has been proposed in the work plan, with an increasing hostility towards the introduction of measures that would provide professionals and managers with legally-binding protections, while compelling companies to comply with high standards.
‘Peace’ remains the first value the European Parliament should defend (with 46% of responses), a value also not given the full weight of attention based on the EU’s inaction over the atrocities taking place in Palestine. Once again this weekend European’s took to the streets in their droves to call for intervention, with over 120,000 taking to the streets in Brussels on Sunday September 7th.
As we enter one of the busiest periods of the year, it will be interesting to see if the needs of citizens fall on deaf ears once more in the Berlaymont.
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