The European elections proved that the pro-European majority still holds, but also showed that voters across the EU demand urgent political and legislative responses to the challenges raised in the electoral campaign. Otherwise, the pro-European majority may risk losing support as citizens may increasingly turn their backs on mainstream political forces. 

At its July plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a debate on the state of democracy in Europe with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the representatives of the political groups of the newly elected European Parliament. 

EESC President Oliver Röpke said that ‘the European elections in June were a wake-up call and it is our duty to reflect on the state of democracy today, after these election results. We are united in our conviction that the European Union is the only answer in this respect, delivering a form of democracy that visibly improves lives across Europe.’ 

In order to consolidate support for democracy in Europe, the EU, as Roberta Metsola pointed out, must prove that politics is still the best agent for positive change in societies and communities. ‘Employers, workers and civil society are essential to the construction of Europe - across our European towns, cities and regions. Because that is where Europe starts and where democracy is in action.’

In the debate with the representatives of the political groups, Željana Zovko, Vice-Chair of the European People’s Party (EPP), the biggest group in the European Parliament, said that the group expected that the policies begun during the previous mandate would be pursued. Ana Catarina Mendes, Vice-President of the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) Group, said that it was vital to focus on implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights and combating poverty. Dan Barna, Vice-Chair of the RENEW Group, urged the new European Commission to defend the rule of law using existing tools in a more effective way. Kira-Marie Peter-Hansen, Vice-Chair of the GREENS/EFA Group, spoke about how important it was to keep the Green Deal as a crucial EU policy. Martin Schirdewan, Co-Chair of the LEFT Group, made it clear that they will call on the new Commission to deal with the cost of housing crisis. (mt)