Brussels, 24/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 23 November at the European Parliament, President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso presented the Commission's 2011 work programme, for which he had previously sketched out the broad guidelines in his speech on the State of the Union (EUROPE 10209 and Europe/Documents 2542).
Although the Commission and Parliament broadly agree on the main principles (economic governance, smart growth and sustainable development), MEPs were obviously quite keen to express a number of reservations and criticism. Several MEPs considered that the programme did not do enough to reduce social inequalities and resolve labour problems. Speaking on behalf of the S&D Group, Hannes Swoboda from Austria called for a directive on the posting of workers and at least the beginning of corporate tax harmonisation. He considered that the case of Ireland, which attracted investment due to the favourable tax legislation but which has just requested aid now that the situation has deteriorated, is an example of the negative effects of there being too great disparities in tax rates. Evelyne Gebhardt from Germany in this group also expressed concerns and advocated better protection of services of general interest. She said that she was highly annoyed by the plethora of studies on collective solutions and said that it was now time to move towards concrete proposals. Patrick Le Hyaric (GUE/NGL, France) said that austerity was not the appropriate response for tackling current problems and that better distribution of wealth and improved tax arrangements (with taxes being imposed on capital flows) would be factors that could help change Europe's image in the eyes of its citizens.
The co-president of the Greens/EFA, Rebecca Harms (Germany), explained that it was impossible to discuss the Commission's work programme without talking about budgetary problems and the Greek and Irish scenarios. She said that these problems underline the excesses of neoliberalism on the financial markets and to what extent the crisis exit strategy is still a long way off. The EU 2020 strategy, according to the Irish Socialist, Proinsias de Rossa, should be the negotiations framework for solving the problems of his country. Gay Mitchell (EPP), also from Ireland, said that he was shocked by the lack of generosity towards poor countries.
Some MEPs appealed for the effective implementation of the recommendations contained in the Monti report on the internal market. According to Maroš Šefèoviè, Vice-President of the Commission, this is the “jewel in the Union's crown”. The vice president is convinced that it is possible to do more in this domain if existing potential is freed up and they take advantage of the digital economy. Given his awareness of the importance of the social dimension, Šefèoviè promised a proposal on the posting of workers and working time. He also recognised the danger of a brain drain. Another challenge includes the reduction of the administrative burden by 20% by 2020, according to proposals by former Commissioner Günther Verheugen. The Commission, however, would even like to achieve a 30% reduction. The Commission's priorities also include infrastructure, competitiveness, the green economy and renewable resources because it is convinced that quality work will be the best argument against the Eurosceptics. (L.G./transl.fl)