On Thursday 4 March, the European Commission presented its European Pillar of Social Rights’ Action Plan. Aimed at further reinforcing the social dimension of the EU, the Action Plan highlights upcoming actions and initiatives to bring to life the European Pillar of Social Rights endorsed by EU leaders at the 2017 Social Summit in Gothenburg.

Following up on the publication, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, said:

Reacting to the presentation of the Action Plan by the European Commission on the implementation of the 2017 European Pillar of Social Rights, S&D Group leader Iratxe García MEP said:

While the European People’s Party Group in the European Parliament was once again discussing how to deal with Fidesz MEPs, the S&D Group was hearing the first-hand account of how Orbán and his government are harassing free media in Hungary. It is time for conservatives to stop enabling the damaging actions of illiberal governments in the EU and we hope they will accept including Slovenia in the debate about media freedom in the next plenary session.

Iratxe García said:

Speaking ahead of the European Commission’s fiscal policy recommendations expected tomorrow, the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament warn against a hasty and reckless implementation of the EU’s budgetary rules and call for an extension of the general escape clause in the Stability and Growth Pact.

Jonás Fernández MEP, S&D spokesperson on economic and monetary affairs, said: