On Monday 21 October, MEPs called on the Member States and the European institutions to do more to eradicate poverty in the EU and worldwide, during a short debate on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which was on 17 October.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, deplored the fact that “far too many people are excluded from society”, unable to live with dignity or have “the opportunity to fulfil their potential”. She recalled some damning figures: “One in five Europeans and one in four children in the EU are at risk of social exclusion”, a “worrying” situation.
With poverty as a symbol of inequality, we must ensure that everyone, wherever they come from, “lives in dignity”, added the European Parliament President, who welcomed the first anti-poverty strategy announced by the Commission in the guidelines for 2024-2029, which she said was a “step in the right direction”.
Belgian EPP member Liesbet Sommen described the figures as “shocking”, and also called on the legislators to make the issue of homelessness a priority of future work on affordable housing.
Chiara Gemma (ECR, Italian) believes that it is “a moral duty to fight poverty”. She pointed out that “28.8% of people with disabilities live in poverty and social exclusion” when they are already vulnerable.
“We cannot tolerate a Europe that proclaims to be the guarantor of inclusion sidelining people who are already in a very difficult situation”.
Renew Europe MEP Charles Goerens from Luxembourg believes that poverty needs to be tackled both within and outside the EU. He also pointed out that the Member States that “are most involved in development cooperation with the countries of the South often have the best results at home” in terms of the fight against poverty.
The French member of The Left Leila Chaibi reiterated her call to “tax the rich”, pointing out that one in four young people in France is below the poverty line and one in two students has to skip a meal.
The Greens/EFA believe that a comprehensive strategy must be pursued, given that poverty takes “many forms”. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)