Comité Económico e Social Europeu
The Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee voiced its disagreement on the exploratory opinion INT/913 Industrial transition towards a green and digital European economy: regulatory requirements and the role of social partners and civil society, requested by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
The EESC Employers' Group agrees with the European Commission's Autumn 2020 Economic Forecast, which makes it clear that Europe's economic rebound has been interrupted by the resurgence of the pandemic. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is leading to continuing high levels of uncertainty and downside risks, such as a rise in unemployment, growing deficits and public debt, reduced investment activity and consumer spending and a labour market downturn in the European economy. The EESC Employers' Group believes that the current high level of uncertainty could make the Autumn Economic Forecast less accurate and that the economy might be even harder hit than predicted by the European Commission.
Christa Schweng, member of the EESC Employers' Group, was elected EESC President at the EESC's Inaugural Plenary session, held from 27 to 29 October. Ms Schweng had won the Employers' Group candidacy for the post of EESC President in a formal election at the Group meeting on 14 September. The EESC Employers' Group congratulates Ms Schweng on her appointment to this position of leadership and is looking forward to an excellent working relationship with her.
The inaugural plenary session of the EESC's 2020–2025 term of office, held from 27 to 29 October, confirmed Employers' Group members in key positions for the first half of the 2020–2025 term. The members were elected for these positions in two waves of elections by the EESC Employers' Group at the beginning of 2020, as well as at the inaugural Employers' Group meeting on 27 October.
Dear Madame President, allow me to start by congratulating you for your appointment yesterday as the leader of this house.
There is no doubt that you have been elected as President of this house in very unique and particular moment. Please rest assured that you will find all the support you need from my Group, the Employers' Group.
Stefano Mallia takes over as the new President of the EESC Employers' Group for the first half of the 2020 to 2025 term of office following his confirmation at the EESC Employers' Group Inaugural meeting on 27 October. During his presidency, Mr Mallia will work towards ensuring that Europe and the Single Market in particular continue to provide opportunities for employers to grow and be successful.
Ms Christa Schweng is the EESC Employers' Group's new candidate for the next EESC presidency. This was the outcome of a formal election that the Employers' Group held on 14 September 2020.
Ms Christa Schweng obtained the majority of the EESC Employers' Group preferences to become the new Employers' Group candidate for the next EESC presidency. This was shown in a survey that the Employers' Group conducted on 7 September 2020. The Employers' Group decided to hold this survey for a candidate B for the next EESC presidency for the case that the Group was required to present a new candidate for the post. Mr Jacek Krawczyk stepped down as EESC presidential candidate.
The EESC Employers' Group welcomes the agreement on the EU recovery package. Through the "Next Generation EU" instrument, EUR 750 billion will support struggling EU economies. Having called for a swift agreement in several publications, the deal is seen as timely and crucial by the Employers' Group. What is needed now is fast and targeted implementation of the measures. Only in this way can businesses support the EU in fighting the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The list of new work appointments for July 2020 and the most recent list of ongoing EESC work are available for download in the attachments below.
