Poverty, public services and jobs are the issues that citizens want to see prioritised during the European election campaign, the new Eurobarometer shows.
The European Parliament’s poll of 26,000 citizens asked: “Which of the following topics should be discussed as a matter of priority during the electoral campaign for the next European Parliament elections?” The top three responses were:
- The fight against poverty and social exclusion – 33%
- Public health – 32%
- Support to the economy and the creation of new jobs – 31%
These were also the top priorities of citizens according to the last Eurobarometer published in December.
The ETUC’s European election manifesto, Delivering a Fair Deal for Workers, sets out how parties can deliver on citizens’ priorities by strengthening collective bargaining to secure fair pay, investing in public services and developing an industrial strategy that will deliver more quality jobs.
However, ETUC research shows that proposals for new fiscal rules to be voted on by the European Parliament on Tuesday would stop the majority of member states meeting the priorities of citizens.
Responding to the findings, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
“The poll makes it very clear to politicians what issues they need to address if they want to win the European elections: poverty, public services and jobs.
“EU polls consistently show that these issues are the priorities of European citizens but too often they seem peripheral to some policymakers.
“It is time that all parties focused on the real priorities of European citizens and deliver a fair deal for workers through secure jobs, decent pay and conditions, backed up with quality public services for all workers in all regions.
“However, that will not be possible if the European Parliament votes to reintroduce austerity. This poll shows clearly why MEPs should say no to austerity 2.0 and yes to the social Europe that citizens want to see.”
