The Social Democratic family discusses – with more than 500 young Europeans in Brussels – the challenges for a better Europe, ahead of the upcoming EU elections on 9 June, at the event ‘My Choice, My Voice’. 

Last night, the European Parliament negotiators reached a deal with the Council to renew the trade benefits for Ukraine by suspending import duties and quotas on Ukraine exports to the EU until June 2025.

The Socialists and Democrats welcome the agreement, which will help Ukraine and its economy amidst the Russian invasion, while taking the concerns expressed by the European farmers seriously. We were committed to finalise the negotiations on time, before the current measures expire at the beginning of June this year, to avoid any disruptions. 

FIEC is supportive of clear rules aimed at fostering and safeguarding prompt  payments in all commercial transactions while also minimising the administrative  burden for all parties involved in a commercial transaction. While the current EU  rules on combatting late payments have been in place since 2011, construction  companies, including those working with the public sector, are still confronted with  the problem of late payments.  

MEPs, led by the S&Ds, voted today on the landmark ‘pharmaceutical package’ in the European Parliament’s committee on environment, health and food safety. Its goal is to ensure better access, availability and affordability of medicines in the Union.

The Socialists and Democrats are looking forward to reflecting on the work done in the area of employment and social affairs over the past five years. Today, the European Parliament’s employment committee will look back at the past mandate, together with the commissioner for jobs and social rights Nicolas Schmit who successfully put forward a series of far-reaching legislative proposals. Commissioner Schmit managed to fulfil all his tasks as set out in his mission letter to strengthen social Europe – the tasks that the S&Ds have pushed for.