EU Policy Update June 2019

1. EU Policy Update June 2019 Sian Jones Policy Coordinator European Anti-Poverty Network www.eapn.eu www.eapn.eu

2. 7a Outline • The Context • EPSR – Latest Developments • Future of Europe • EAPN Action: EU and national level • Finalizing the post 2020 position paper

3. The Context • EP ELECTIONS: 23-5 MAY: large turnout with diverse results. Weakening support for main groups EPP/ S+D, increase for Greens/Alde and populists? • NATIONAL ELECTIONS: Widening Gap? Wins by Social Democrats in Denmark, Finland, Spain but growing divide with xenophobic populists eg Belgium • BREXIT: Extension from EU to October 31. May forced to resign, Conservative Party elect new PM, increased threat of No Deal with BREXIT party success in EP election. • FUTURE OF EUROPE SIBIU SUMMIT 9 MAY: Sibiu declaration – defending 1 Europe with 10 commitments! Protecting citizens is all about security... • NOMINATION FIGHT FOR LEADERS OF EU INSTITUTIONS - JUNE: aim for geographical balance/gender and party group… Front runner for President of EC? • EU BUDGET: No budget agreed, major stumbling blocks now BREXIT delay, re-nationalizing AGRI, respect for rule of law and Eurozone budget proposal. • MIGRATION: 17.000 non EU migrants, with Greece and Spain top entry points with hardening of Italy. No progress on EU shared responsibility

4. European Pillar on Social Rights – Latest Developments • Juncker Commission keen to show progress on EU Social Priorities and EPSR implementation specifically. See updated implementation table here. • May/June 2019: EU Labour Authority to coordinate labour mobility and social security coordination to be put in place. • May/June 2019: Agreement on Transparent and Predictable working conditions agreed (Written Statement) to be adopted by EP and Council. • May/June 2019: Agreement reached between EP and Council reached on on Work-Life balance. Needs to be ratified by Member States. • End of 2019: Implementation of Access to Social Protection Council Recommendation was adopted. • All agreements reflect reduced ambition for EU frameworks, particularly from Council. • Commission say their job is done - implementation in hands of MS and stakeholders! Keen for NGOs to put pressure on Member States to deliver and quote the Pillar! .

5. Future of Europe/Post 2020 • 28 Jan: Future of Europe Reflection Paper – Towards 2030: 3 scenarios for Agenda 2030/ SDGs - how much buy in? • 9 May Sibiu: Informal Summit with Sibiu Declaration: 10 commitments for a United Europe. • Strategic Agenda 2019-24: Council’s 4 priorities? • 1) Protecting citizens’ and freedom • 2) Developing our economic base – European model • 3) Building a greener, fairer and more inclusive future • 4) Promoting Europe’s interests + values in the world.. • 21 May: Annual Convention on Inclusive Growth – A Post 2020 vision to deliver on social rights?

6. Future of Europe : Silbiu Declaration – 10 commitments! • Defend one Europe • Stay united, through thick and thin. • Always look for joint solutions • Protect our way of life, democracy and the rule of law.. • Deliver where it matters most. Europe will continue to be big on big matters. • Uphold the principle of fairness • Give ourselves the means to match our ambitions. • Safeguard the future for the next generations of Europeans. • Protect our citizens. • Europe will be a responsible global leader.

7. EAPN Action Plan: Supporting EPSR implementation (EU and national) EU Level • EESC opinion – evaluation of initial implementation/hearing – 28 March. • Annual Convention (20 May) – participation of 16 members (13 Countries), rapporteur in workshop on SDGs, and side event with EDF combating in-work poverty for people with disabilities • 1 EU level event (June ) – Post 2020/SDGs and EPSR + Poverty Watch and Semester events • Follow up on progress on 5 principles – particularly MI (EMIN) and Education eg Peer Review in Lithuania in January; Launch of public authorities – 2-3 July, Athens. • Monitoring through Poverty Watch and European Semester National level • 2019 WP: Deliver at least 5 national events on the Social Pillar – google mapping eg Finland/Sept • Focus on Social Pillar or 5 principals 1) Minimum Income (care with EMIN..) 2) Social Protection; 3) Access to Essential Services; 4) Fair Wages; 5) Education/LLL • Link it to the European Semester or Poverty Watch. SDGs/Post 2020

8. EAPN Action: Future of Europe and Post 2020 – Past and Future • July 2018: Future of Europe Position Paper • April 2019: Letter to Heads of State before Sibiu Summit with National network action template letter. • May 2019: Statement response to Sibiu • March: Discussion in EUISG on post 2020 • June: Reflection conference • September: Finalize and launch Post 2020 paper. • November – new leadership of EU institutions – advocacy follow up.

9. Follow up Action European Pillar of Social Rights • What actions/national events planned on Social Pillar implementation? Completing mapping. • How can we keep it on the agenda at EU/ national level? Post 2020 – finalizing the position paper • Agreeing core demands, additional elements?

10. Post 2020 Position Paper • Achieving poverty eradication and increasing well-being • Political pre-requisites to achieve results • Embedding participation and transforming EU coordination instruments • Mobilising EU funds to support the strategy

11. Position Paper – Core demands • Achieving poverty eradication and increasing well-being • Ambitious poverty target • Effective poverty indicators and social scoreboard • A rights-based integrated poverty strategy • Urgent action to guarantee minimum income and social protection • Concrete results on all social rights

12. Position Paper – Core demands (cont) • Political pre-requisites to achieve results • High level political commitment • Making well-being the goal: rebalancing economic/social/environment • Embedding participation and transforming EU coordination instruments • A participative, social and sustainable European Semester • Make civil society equal partners 4. Mobilising EU funds to support the strategy • Increase effectiveness of EU funds spending on poverty reduction

13. 7a Thank you for your attention! For more information, please contact Sian Jones EAPN Policy Coordinator sian.jones@eapn.eu