Crisis violates fundamental rights of many EU-citizens

PETI-Hearing in European Parliament

EMI President Jo Leinen attended today’s PETI Committee hearing "The Impact of the Crisis on Europe’s Citizens,” following a joint petition submitted last year asking for a launch process for a revision of the Lisbon Treaty.  

The austerity policy of the last three years has caused severe negative effects for citizens with rising unemployment and poverty, decreasing pensions, lack of collective bargaining, and enormous problems in healthcare as well as a lack of support for young people.

The hearing discussed the management of the financial crisis and the urgent need for better protection of the fundamental rights of EU citizens.

Pauline Gessant, Board member of the EMI and a panellist at today’s Committee hearing said:

“The coming European elections are a crucial moment to create a debate on the future of Europe and allow European citizens to express their expectations and hopes for a more integrated Europe,”

A third Convention to prepare for a revision of the Lisbon Treaty should be organised after the European Elections in May 2014.

EMI President Jo Leinen stated:

"The EU needs a Marshall Plan for economic and social reconstruction to create more investment and jobs. We need a European Union with more solidarity and more democracy."

[ENDS]
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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions. 

EMI Media Contact: For more information, please contact Marine Vallet at +32 (0)2 508 30 88 or marine.vallet@europeanmovement.eu