The results of the newly released EU poll on social Europe show why the European Parliament should reject proposed fiscal rules that would reimpose austerity.
The Eurobarometer released today shows nine in ten European citizens say a social Europe is of personal importance to them, with wages and healthcare featuring high among their priorities.
The poll comes in the same week that the ETUC published a study showing how the proposed fiscal rules, which will be voted on by plenary on April 22, would prevent Europe from taking action on social issues.
It shows the majority of member states will not be able to meet the EU’s own investment targets in hospitals, housing, schools or climate action if the new rules are adopted.
The ETUC is instead calling on MEPs to support the 12 priorities in its European election manifesto which will deliver a fair deal for workers.
Commenting on the Eurobarometer on social Europe, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“This poll shows clearly that citizens want a social Europe and MEPs must ensure that it is still possible to deliver on their priorities by rejecting a return to austerity."
“One of the key findings of this poll is that citizens want improvements to healthcare but our research shows the majority of countries would not be able to invest in hospitals under the proposed fiscal rules.
“The poll also shows wages and the cost-of-living is another key concern and we know from previous experience that austerity leads to poverty pay and increased inequality.
“Adopting rules that would stop Europe addressing the priorities of its citizens is a recipe for another avoidable economic and social crisis, and would be a gift to the far-right on the eve of the European elections.
“Europe doesn’t need to go back down this road. There is an alternative – a social Europe which delivers a fair deal for workers – and this must be an option for voters in June.
“Members of the European Parliament should back the better, social Europe that citizens want to see.”
