The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has presented a set of crucial recommendations in response to the Commission's proposed legislative package reforming the European Union's economic governance framework. While the EESC appreciates the intention of simplifying the framework, it advocates for critical adjustments to the proposal. These recommendations come at a pivotal moment, underlining the need for a balanced, adaptable, and sustainable approach to economic governance within the EU.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted in plenary an evaluation report on the implementation of the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), a critical temporary instrument – introduced in February 2021 – of EUR 723.8 billion in loans and grants available to support reforms and investments undertaken by the Members States to emerge stronger and more resilient from the COVID-19 pandemic. This report gathers the main recommendations of the social partners and civil society organisations consulted in Germany, Italy, Latvia, Portugal and Romania, on the effectiveness, relevance and added value of civil society involvement in implementing this instrument.
At the request of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) offers an insightful perspective on the future of cohesion policy. Against the backdrop of evolving challenges such as the pandemic, climate change and digital transformation, the Committee's exploratory opinion highlights key recommendations to shape a "cohesion policy 2.0" that is more adaptable, socially focused and responsive to the needs of European citizens and regions.
In the wake of recent banking crises in the US and the Credit Suisse case, the EESC has reviewed the Commission's proposal to reform the Bank Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance framework (CMDI). Among other measures, the Committee calls for protecting the interests of smaller and local banks, depositors and taxpayers, and coordinating the CMDI package with the future reform of the State aid Regulation.
The EESC provided its policy recommendations for a new generation of own resources for the EU budget. The opinion urged the Commission to first and foremost further develop the new set of rules that would govern corporate taxation in the EU (BEFIT). The EESC also suggested considering an EU-wide tax on digital transactions and an additional levy targeting companies importing products from third-country manufacturers that do not ensure proper protection of workers.
In an opinion debated and adopted in plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee renewed its request for reform of the European Semester. The opinion, which draws on a recent consultation undertaken in 23 different Member States, calls for an EU regulation to make civil society involvement in the cycle mandatory.
On 23 March, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted two opinions on the Commission's latest proposals to further develop the EU's Capital Markets Union. Regarding the Listing Act, the Committee recommends that the full listing documentation be published in the national languages to empower local retail investors and helpthe development of a national retail investment base.
At its plenary session on 24 February, the EESC adopted an opinion on the Commission's Communication outlining orientations for a reform of the economic governance framework. While the EESC agrees on the need for a swift agreement ahead of the Member States' budgetary processes for 2024, it also stresses that many details are yet to be finalised.
In an opinion adopted on 23 February, the EESC commented on the Commission's Communication on the 2023 Annual Sustainable Growth Survey, which outlines the economic and employment policy priorities for the EU for the coming 12 to 18 months.
The European Economic and Social Committee held a plenary debate on the role of finance and public recovery policies in promoting gender equality and the economic empowerment of women in the EU. The discussion was linked to the adoption of two opinions: one on a gender-based approach to budgeting and investing and the other on how Member States can improve the way in which the direct and indirect measures proposed in their Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs) affect gender equality.
