Wednesday’s State of the EU address from President von der Leyen once again laid out the European Commission’s mission to strengthen Europe by generating economic power and security ‘in turbulent times’.
Building a more social Europe that is fair, inclusive and sustainable for all must not be allowed to become a secondary objective in the Union’s agenda. In Social Platform’s letter to the President, we urged her to put social priorities at the core of it.
President von der Leyen’s speech included some positive references to the EU’s social dimension, such as commitment to eradicating poverty by 2050. Even though this is a welcome move in the right direction, we need to ensure the commitments to social Europe are ambitious and backed up by EU funding and concrete actions.
So how did President von der Leyen’s speech compare to our letter? Read our reactions below to some of the issues we urged her to address:
“[W]e urgently need an ambitious European Anti-Poverty Strategy. We will lay out our plan to help eradicate poverty by 2050. Backed up by a strong Child Guarantee to shield our children from poverty.”
There has been little progress to date on the EU’s target of reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030. President von der Leyen’s stated commitment to eradicate poverty by 2050 comes at a key moment, with the first European Anti-Poverty Strategy coming in 2026. We agree that the aim must be eradication – breaking the vicious cycle of poverty in all its forms. Social Platform’s position paper on the upcoming Strategy calls for a comprehensive and integrated approach, simultaneously addressing income security, access to quality services, and the empowerment and participation of people affected, with specific attention to marginalised and disadvantaged communities. Read the paper
“This is more than a housing crisis. It is a social crisis. That is why still this year […]we will present the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan. To make housing more affordable, more sustainable, and of better quality.”
Access to decent, affordable, and sustainable housing is a human right. In our letter we stated that housing exclusion is a systemic social emergency requiring urgent and coordinated EU action. We therefore welcome President von der Leyen’s acknowledgment of this crisis and the commitment to deliver a European Affordable Housing Plan that addresses the struggles people across Europe are facing. We call for the Plan to promote investments in social housing and support integrated housing solutions for people in vulnerable situations with the aim to prevent and tackle homelessness.
“When we talk about competitiveness we talk about jobs. We are talking about people and their livelihoods.”
A major concern of the European Commission’s competitiveness agenda is the push for productivity and the narrow focus on employment. As Social Platform, we emphasise that the foundation of resilient, flourishing economies is a strong, inclusive social model that ensures no one is left no one behind. Protecting and investing in social conditions that benefit society as a whole and allow everyone to thrive, not only those who are able to work, is essential. We welcome the announcement of the Quality Jobs Act proposal, which could ensure a quality standard of good working conditions and further protect workers’ rights.
“Eight years ago, the European Pillar of Social Rights made housing a social right in Europe. It’s time to turn this promise into reality.”
Encompassing 20 principals for a strong social Europe, the European Pillar of Social Rights must serve as the social compass for all EU policymaking. Alongside the right to housing, all principals identified in the Social Pillar must be fully implemented. The upcoming Action Plan was not mentioned in the speech, but is an opportunity to show ambition that the EU is serious about its social commitments, strengthen the social dimension of the Semester governance framework and the EU budget, and ensure that no one is left behind.
While President von der Leyen talked about the ‘Union of Equality’, this goal can only become reality with the full implementation of EU equality strategies that protect some of the most marginalised people in our society. In particular, gender equality, LGBTIQ equality and anti-racism action plans that are ending in 2025 must be renewed with ambitious targets and indicators.
Read our contribution to the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan consultation
“[T]he transition must support people and strengthen industry. This also means massively boosting our public and private investment.”
As Europe works to address the climate challenge and build a greener, more sustainable continent, the needs of people and communities must not be forgotten. In our letter, we put forward the need for a Just Transition Directive to deliver concrete protections and opportunities for workers, as part of a Just Transition Framework going beyond employment and encompassing social protection, strong public services, civil society participation, adequate financing, support for the social economy, and inclusive policies.
Missing: Civil Society Strategy
With growing restrictions and political attacks on the role of civil society in Europe, we regret that the European Commission President did not acknowledge the importance of civil society organisations in strengthening the democratic life of the EU. We look forward to the upcoming EU Civil Society Strategy, that must endeavour to support, protect and empower civil society across Europe.
Missing: EU funding for social objectives
The European Commission presented its proposal for the next long-term EU budget in July, proposing major reshuffling of the funds. While the EU budget was referenced several times in the speech, it did not mention how it is planning to support social objectives – an opportunity missed to link it to upcoming initiatives on the social dimension, such as the Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
