In recent months, the Socialists and Democrats have been intensively negotiating with the European Commission to keep the Socialists' priorities at the top of the EU agenda and to provide answers and effective solutions to our citizens' concerns – jobs, housing, social rights, the green transition, carbon neutrality, competitiveness, and own resources. The S&Ds have worked on a package of proposals that make the EU more resilient and fit for the challenges ahead, with a special focus on an EU strategy to tackle the housing crisis that is ravaging our citizens, especially young people.

Following the presentation of the 2026 Commission Work Programme, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Iratxe García, demands a commitment from all political forces to secure a green transition, social justice, economic growth, and competitiveness with the EU.

Iratxe García, President of the S&D Group, said:

"Our long-standing and persistent calls have been fruitful and today we see a Commission Work Programme for 2026 that shows signs of going in the right direction. The EU will finally deliver on key issues with the proposal for a European Affordable Housing Plan, short-term rentals and the revision of state aid rules. Housing is not a luxury for the few, it is a human right for all.

"We have also succeeded in including a European Strategy against Poverty, with specific objectives and real funding, including a reinforced Child Guarantee so that no child in the European Union grows up without opportunities.

"And because social rights and wellbeing are a priority for us, the European Commission will present a Quality Jobs Act. We ask that this initiative be followed by legislative proposals to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, to guarantee the right to disconnect and to telework, to ensure a fair transition in employment, and to prevent the psychological risks that threaten the mental health of our workers.

"We would have wished a greater commitment on competitiveness and green transition. The commitment with the 2040 climate target and the revision of public procurement directives to introduce mandatory social and environmental criteria are a step in the right direction, but we want to see more. We will work for a Green Deal Implementation Strategy, a Just Transition Directive, an increase in the resources of the Social Climate Fund and the revision of REACH, because climate justice and social justice go hand in hand. Furthermore, we will soon present to the European Commission our proposal for the creation of a European framework for social leasing of electric cars.

"Now is the time to deliver, and now the time has come for the EPP to make a choice. We can either work together to fulfill this programme, or they can continue to look to the far right, with whom none of these proposals will see the light of day."