site.btaEuropean Parliament Calls on European Commission to Present Strategy to Combat Poverty

The European Parliament held a debate here on Wednesday calling on the European Commission to present a comprehensive and adequately funded EU strategy to combat poverty. The overall goal is to eradicate poverty by 2035. The vote following the debate will be held on Thursday.

In the text presented by rapporteur Joao Oliveira, MEPs insisted that poverty be recognized as a violation of human dignity and be addressed through an approach based on fundamental rights. Oliveira said that poverty is an issue that requires a political solution, since there is an unfair distribution of wealth and resources. The MEP concluded that a common and comprehensive approach is needed, including cross-sectoral policies and the fight against economic discrimination against women, people who have dropped out of the education system, and minorities.

The resolution expresses concern that in 2024, 93.3 million people in the EU, or 21% of the population, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Among them, about 20 million were children. The proportion of children at risk has increased from 23.6% in 2019 to 24.2% in 2024.

In the document, MEPs call for clear interim targets, a monitoring mechanism, and a stable financial framework, including through the next EU multiannual financial framework. They insist on strengthening the European Child Guarantee and creating a special budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the 2028-2034 period to combat child poverty.

Parliament also called for a legislative initiative on an adequate minimum income at EU level, more investment in affordable housing, and a plan to end homelessness by 2030. It stressed the need for universal access to quality healthcare, including mental health, as well as to basic services such as water, energy, and transport.

Vice-President of the European Commission Roxana Minzatu reported that nearly 93 million people or about 20% of the population are at risk of poverty and social marginalization. Over one million people are homeless. She was adamant that no one should be forgotten, and support should be available to everyone.

She said that the future European strategy must be a collective endeavour that recognizes the multidimensional nature of poverty and takes into account not just income but also access to housing, education, energy, transport, food, and public services. Minzatu said that the fight against poverty must cover the entire life cycle and combine support with prevention.

Speaking on behalf of the Group of the European People's Party, Martine Kemp MEP said that the fight against poverty is not an optional policy. It is about giving children equal opportunities and providing the elderly with security.

Aodhan O Riordain of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats said that child poverty is an urgent problem. He called for decent wages and fairer redistribution.

Margarita de la Pisa Carrion of the Patriots for Europe group insisted on more powers for national and local authorities. She stated that the best social policy is rooted in employment and insisted on removing bureaucratic obstacles and enabling local communities to develop.

Hristo Petrov of the Renew Europe Group said that no institution can replace the role that family plays in a child's life or the love that it provides. He added that investing in children's education is more effective than subsequent spending on social or penal systems.

Petar Volgin of the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group said that the proposed measures were misguided. In his words, the causes of poverty are not limited to discrimination but are the result of the actions of the "political and financial elites", which lead to deepening inequalities. He spoke out against the planned financial support of EUR 90 billion for Kyiv and insisted that the funds be directed towards European families and citizens.

If the resolution gets passed on Thursday, it will be sent to the Council of the EU and the European Commission, which is preparing the first strategy in EU history to combat poverty, expected later this year.