The social partners and members of civil society almost unanimously welcomed the European Parliament's vote on the new European Commission on Wednesday 27 November, marking the start of legislative work for the new mandate. All took the opportunity to reiterate their priorities.
This is the case for the social partners. On the side of big business, BusinessEurope, welcomed the strong majority (see other news) obtained by the College, which will be chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, stressing the need to develop an industrial and innovation strategy so that "protecting the planet offers new business opportunities".
In the same vein, SMEunited expects a lot from the new Commission and, in particular, from the development of a specific strategy for SMEs. CEEP, which represents employers and enterprises providing public services, insisted on the need to build on the path laid out by the current Juncker Commission, particularly on the digital transformation and employment front.
Eurochambres, representing the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stressed the need to deepen the Single Market and develop a more flexible regulatory framework for SMEs, with a particular focus on training workers in line with labour market needs (especially in the digital field).
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) highlighted the difficulties faced by the new Commission in being elected, which further underlines the importance of the Commission taking convincing action, particularly in the social field. For trade unions, Mrs von der Leyen must now move on to practical work and implement her programme, which she announced in the first 100 days of her mandate and which will start on 1 December. This will be expected in particular on minimum wages and an inclusive Green Deal.
Eurocadres, for its part, is ready and waiting for the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Nicolas Schmit, to take up the fight against psychological violence at work with the adoption of a directive against psychosocial risks.
On the civil society side, the European Parliament vote was warmly received. WWF, an international environmentalist organisation, satisfied with the vote, is waiting for concrete measures, in particular on the "Green Deal", which remains for the moment just a "concept". It expects strong action in favour of biodiversity and "zero tolerance" from the European Commission towards Member States that do not comply with European environmental standards and legislation.
ONE, a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and so-called "preventable" diseases, expects the new Commission and Member States to be "bold", particularly on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. In particular, there is a need for a "bold and ambitious" budget for investments in development and to achieve the UN's sustainable development goals. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)