In the last voting session of the mandate, the European Parliament voted on stricter fiscal rules for the budget of EU countries. On this vote only Greens/EFA and the left voiced their opposition. Social democrats, christian democrats and liberals voted in favour.

Slashing budgets does not create a thriving economy. This deal will effectively stop all of the much needed investments in climate action and public services, sending Europe into an era of austerity that will be harder to overcome than the previous one.

Ableism is the discrimination against persons with disabilities based on their physical and mental disabilities. Ableism often goes hand in hand with social prejudice against people with disabilities and the feeling of superiority by non-disabled people.

But people with disabilities have the right to a life in dignity and income support that ensures dignified living, services that enable them to participate in the labour market and in society, and a work environment adapted to their needs.

As part of this objective, we Greens have been fighting relentlessly to protect the most vulnerable ones on EU level, especially in the context of work: for instance, trainees need proper working conditions, persons with disabilities access to employment. Finally, a Directive on Minimum Income would ensure that everyone has enough for a life in dignity, even those that cannot participate in the labour market.

Not everyone is able to work, the reasons could go from illness, to disability, to family situations. That does not mean that those people should live in poverty or be forced to accept precarious jobs. A minimum income set above the poverty line not only is a safety net for them but also for our societies.

With the EU disability card, the Greens have been calling for the recognition of an EU disability status and free movement, assistance and advantages for people with disabilities working and travelling in Europe.

Keywords: disabilities, discrimination, vulnerable, ableism, dignity

Reducing carbon emissions in housing is a crucial step in tackling climate change and achieving a just transition to a climate-neutral economy. A transition to a green economy has to include housing renovation, zero-emission transport, and renewable energy production to address both environmental and social challenges.

This is because investing in green housing initiatives, such as energy-efficient renovations, can significantly contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions that lead to climate change. We also know that for every 1 million euros invested in energy renovation of buildings, an average of 18 jobs are expected to be created in the EU. This not only helps combat climate change but also addresses social issues by providing quality employment opportunities, particularly for low- and medium-skilled workers. More greener and better jobs also contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities. The green transition is estimated to add up to 2 million new jobs in the EU, emphasising the potential for higher quality and more affordable housing.

We believe that everyone has to have access to basic goods and services for a decent life.

In summary, reducing carbon emissions in housing is therefore a key component of a comprehensive green and social strategy, offering a dual benefit of mitigating climate change and promoting social well-being through job creation, improved housing, and enhanced access to essential services.

Keywords: emissions, housing, home insulation, energy efficiency, energy poverty, climate change

Energy prices are influenced by various factors, including supply and demand, geopolitical events, and technological advancements. As climate change progresses and energy security concerns rise, it is even more important that we transition to a 100% renewable-based economy by 2040. One of the reasons that energy prices have gone up so much is that the main energy multinationals have profited off the crisis and have gambled with the prices of gas and electricity to make themselves richer at the expense of the people.

The transition to renewable energy sources can decrease energy prices for everyone as no fuel needs to be bought and burned to produce energy. This is why we need to speed up the transition by promoting technological advances and scaling up the economy for the renewable energy sector. Additionally, if we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels we are not hit as hard by price fluctuations in the global oil and gas markets.

Only a real shift to renewable energy can contribute to long-term sustainability and stable and reduced energy prices. Now the EU needs to make sure that the path is clear, politically, economically and technologically, to shape the European energy landscape so we can all use clean, affordable and safe energy in our homes.

Keywords: energy prices, energy crisis, energy cost, energy supply, cost of living, fuel bills

Food is expensive due to the prevailing industrial farming practices that prioritise quantity over quality, often relying heavily on synthetic chemicals. The Common European Agricultural Policy (CAP), allocating substantial funds to agriculture, fails to adequately support environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Currently, 80% of CAP subsidies are directed to the largest 20% of farms, irrespective of their agricultural methods. This reinforces intensive industrial farming and does not incentivize eco-friendly approaches. 

Also, food companies - the intermediaries between farmers and consumers - have been responsible for driving prices up. In particular, the absence of real competition between these companies allow them to tighten their grip over both producers and consumers: they set the prices high enough for them to get a bigger share along the value-chain of the food sector.This has made them richer and food a lot more expensive for consumers while producers still sell their products for prices that are unfair for them.

To address the issue, public authorities like the European Commission should address this lack of competition as soon as possible, so that farmers can get a fair share. They should forbid any sale at loss by farmers, as it is currently too often the case. 

There is also a need to shift towards agro-ecological practices such as organic farming, reduced use of pesticides, and protection of biodiversity. By prioritising sustainability, the environmental cost of food production can be lowered, contributing to lower carbon impact and increased food security. Such practices enhance the resilience of agro-ecosystems to climate shocks and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.

The money to subsidise eco-friendly and fair-priced food is there, it just needs to be directed towards nature-friendly production practices that prioritise the environment, animal welfare, and consumer health over monocultures and intensive farming. This way, a green and social Europe can ensure a fair standard of living for farmers and reasonable prices for consumers.

Keywords: food prices, cost of living, food price inflation, expensive food

If and when inflation will come down in Europe depends on the economic policies we put in place in the EU. This is why the transition towards a climate-neutral economy has to be social and just to benefit those suffering from inflation and higher prices. A green and social European Union will create quality green jobs, economic stability and can alleviate the pressure of inflation. 

The reason why we have such high inflation is that energy and food companies have taken advantage of the crisis and have raised their prices and generated unprecedented profits.

Vulnerable people are hit hard by the acute social crisis that threatens our purchasing power and limits our access to basic goods. The EU finally needs to prioritise ending poverty and boosting social protection. This includes providing decent minimum income and robust public services. Public funding should be available for those complying to the highest social standards.

Ultimately, a green and social European Union has to commit to inclusive policies, environmental sustainability, and quality jobs to address both the economic and social dimensions of inflation, fostering a socially just Europe.

Keywords: inflation, cost of living, prices, price of goods, fuel bills

We advocate for robust measures to combat corruption in the EU institutions, particularly in light of scandals like 'Qatargate'. The Group calls for meaningful reforms to ensure the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and professional integrity within the European Parliament. We stress the importance of public scrutiny, democratic oversight, and full transparency in the revision of ethics rules, whistleblower protection, lobby transparency, and enforcement of sanctions. 

Additionally, we propose concrete actions such as establishing an independent ethics body, enhancing whistleblower protection, reforming the transparency register, and enforcing strict sanctions for rule violations. We aim to strengthen democracy, integrity, and citizens' participation in Europe through comprehensive reforms, including electoral law changes, treaty amendments, and regulations on political campaigning and party financing. Our Group advocates for respect for EU law, rapid action on violations, and full transparency in handling infringement procedures.

Keywords: eu parliament, corruption, Qatargate, transparency, lobby, democracy, integrity

Repairing a phone can often be more expensive than buying a new one due to a variety of factors, including limited access to spare parts, repair documentation, and tools, as well as the prevalence of premature  obsolescence. Manufacturers deliberately design products with minimal repairability, nudging consumers toward expensive replacements over repairs. Also, the monopoly of manufacturers over repair processes, including firmware updates and diagnostic software, restricts third-party repair options, maintaining high prices.

That’s why we have fought for the right to repair in the EU. The Right to Repair grants consumers and independent repair professionals the ability to repair and modify products, ensuring access to necessary tools, documentation, and spare parts. This empowers individuals to extend the lifespan of their devices, saving money and reducing electronic waste. The legislation also fosters innovation, encourages sustainable practices, and promotes fair competition among businesses. By prioritising repair and extending warranties, we aim to make repairing more affordable and accessible, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and circular economy.

Keywords : right to repair, repair, spare parts, premature obsolescence, electronic waste, circular economy