Political Groups in the European Parliament outline priorities for the new European Commission

Priorities of the EPP Group

On 16 November 2009, the EPP group (Christian Democrats) formulated five political “demands” the next Commission should respect:

 1. A Europe that upholds its values: defend human dignity, tolerance,freedom and peace. Promote a more responsible society based on the family and the community and respectful of the environment. The Commission should defend a strengthened solidarity between citizens, generations and the Member States. The Commissioners should however focus on a Europe based on the individual, and defend the free market economy with respect for subsidiarity.

 2. A more secure Europe

 3. A Europe of research and innovation

 4. A Europe founded on sustainable growth based on reforms faithful to the principles of a social market economy, which are freedom, solidarity and responsibility. This includes a focus on the protection of the environment and the well-being of citizens.

 5. A stronger Europe: on the external stage, a clear international ambition and a firm commitment; on the internal stage the consolidation of Europe, the provision of the means for its ambitions and the development of own resources.

The EPP group has not yet formulated more detailed priorities for cross-sector policies, including health.

Priorities of the ALDE Group

On 15 December the ALDE group (liberals) released a detailed Strategic Programme 2009-2014, along five main priorities:

 tackling the economic and financial crisis by a sustainable recovery,

 rethinking the budget and introducing real own resources, tackling

 climate change seriously with an environmentally integrated society, fighting for freedom and

 fundamental rights and promoting a coherent Europe strategy in the world.

Health priorities

In the area of health the ALDE group highlighted the following priorities:

 the proposed directive on Patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare must not be watered down by Member States.

 European patients’ rights in general should be strengthened with an overall goal of guaranteeing equal access to safe and high-quality health services and treatment for all citizens. Therefore the Commission should resist the Council’s attempts to block the directive on information to patients.

 More coherence of EU policies is needed in the field of environmental health (considering climate change and new forms of environmental pollution) and the impact of food quality on human health. The latter should be addressed in an integrated way, involving other policy areas such as the CAP, research policy and the internal market.

 Addressing the wider factors determining health, and strengthening measures to prevent disease and health risks should be key elements of a sustained and reinforced EU public health strategy. The inclusion of health concerns into all EU policies should be reinitiated. A smoke-free environment in all public and work places should be an objective for the Commission.

 Focus on health literacy should be part of a comprehensive and coherent strategy for health at EU level.

 The impact of ageing on public health and healthcare systems and the fight against health inequalities should be given high priority in EU health policies

 Following the transfer of pharmaceutical policy to the health portfolio, and given the new powers in this field provided by the Lisbon Treaty, the Commission should develop a strong health policy with the full integration of medicinal products.

Other political groups

The S&D (centre-left), and Greens/EFA groups outlined the following priorities in the context of the reelection of Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission President in September 2009.

 List of key demands from the S&D

 List of key demands from the Greens

These priorities have however not been updated yet in the context of the appointment of the new College of Commissioners.

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