The European Parliament today discussed the European Commission’s 2025 work programme, with the Left noting that despite “social fairness” being described as “a key focus of this Commission”, the work programme does not in fact contain a single legal measure of social policy.
The Left expressed deep concern that the Commission did not take the necessary step of sending the work programme to MEPs for prior consultation, nor did President von der Leyen herself appear in Parliament to present the work programme, a clear sign of disregard for the institution and its role in shaping EU policy.
Instead of addressing the cost-of-living crisis, this work programme prefers boosting big business profits and “competitiveness” at the cost of ordinary workers. It risks deepening even more the divide between the big multinational and working people, ignoring the urgent need for policies that support those most affected by rising costs and economic instability.
Left co-chair of the Left Martin Schirdewan (Die Linke, Germany) said “This Commission Work Programme seems to have been entirely dictated by lobbyists, and what they call ‘bureaucracy reduction’ and ‘deregulation’ only serves these vested interests. It’s no wonder that President von der Leyen didn’t present this document of political failure in person, because what they have presented here today is not enough.”
Left MEP and Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Li Andersson (Vasemmistoliitto, Finland) said: “The Commission Work Programme includes zero legal initiatives in the field of ‘social fairness’. Zero. Instead, there are several initiatives aimed at watering down legislation from the last mandate. Europeans went to vote because of the rising cost of living and their personal economic situation. Instead, the most right wing Commission in history has let them down.”
Left MEP and Chair of the Subcommittee on Tax Matters Pasquale Tridico (M5S, Italy) said: “On the investment front, the programme focuses too much on defence, while there are no concrete measures for the protection of citizens, workers, or support for industries in difficulty, such as the automotive sector. More concrete answers are needed to protect workers and support businesses, starting with industry, which is a strategic asset for all of Europe.”
