Europe’s housing nightmare is on the European Parliament’s agenda today at the request of the Socialists and Democrats. Over the past 13 years, house prices have increased in 24 EU countries, while rent has increased in 26 EU countries. In several EU countries, housing prices more than doubled. As the housing crisis grips Europe, the S&Ds call for a strong European plan for social investment in housing.

The Socialists and Democrats are appalled by the reports that the PiS government officials have been issuing thousands of visas to third country nationals in exchange for bribes. The corruption scandal undermines both the rule of law and free movement in the EU, one of the most tangible achievements of European integration.

Today, in the plenary debate, the S&Ds called on the European Commission to fully investigate the scale of the corruption involved in the reported cash-for-visas scandal in Poland and take the appropriate next steps to respond to any violation of EU law.

The Socialists and Democrats have today led a majority in the plenary of the European Parliament – with their priorities included – for the adoption of the European Media Freedom Act. Thus, they have improved the European Commission proposal for a Regulation put forward one year ago.

Brussels, 02 October 2023, available online here