We are convinced that Member States, as well as local and regional authorities, must be given the budgetary flexibility to invest in social measures and infrastructures, as well as the means to deploy reliable social security systems. 

Investing in social services is a strategic commitment that creates jobs, brings added value and contributes to the wellbeing of all. Moreover, we will fight to make sure that public services have the means to provide effective and universal access to social services, healthcare, affordable housing and essential services. We want to stop the pressure on liberalisation and privatisation especially in public services. Besides, we will support social innovation and the social economy, as we believe that they can address poverty and generate sustainable wealth and well-being while promoting a learning and participative society.

For us, neither basic economic freedoms nor competition rules take precedence over fundamental social rights. This must be translated into European law and integrated as a fundamental principle in the EU treaties, with a social progress protocol. The prominence of social rights and the objective of social progress must also be reafÀ rmed for the further development of the Economic and Monetary Union. 

The European Union is the best guarantee of a future of shared prosperity and peace for our continent.