Quote of the week - Ahead of the Social Summit today in Porto, S&D Group leader Iratxe García said:

“Porto will be a turning point for Europe: people must be put first, beyond GDP figures, because economic growth only matters if it improves people’s daily lives. There is nowhere better than Portugal to show that a crisis can be solved with solidarity. After years of austerity, the Covid-19 pandemic unveiled the truth: only strong social policies can contribute to facing the crisis. We need a strong social net to take millions of Europeans out of poverty and to ensure decent salaries for the so-called working poor. It is just unacceptable that one out of four children in the EU are at risk of social exclusion. And, we must provide support for those self-employed workers whose small businesses have been hit by the essential Covid-19 restrictions.”

The social-democratic family has been fighting for workers’ rights for more than a century now, in close partnership with trade unions and workers all across the EU. This fight is more than ever vital in an ever-changing economy. In the latest episode of What's Left, find out the S&D Group’s plan for social progress.

NEXT WEEK

Sunday 9 May is Europe Day, when the EU is set to officially launch the Conference on the Future of Europe, from Strasbourg. With our progressive partners, we have set up the #Progressives4Europe debating platform on the Conference on the Future of Europe to bring people together to discuss the challenges ahead and how we can reshape Europe for the better. Share your view on the Future of Europe!

The European Parliament is hosting an Instagram Live with S&D Group president Iratxe García Pérez on Monday. Follow it live here at 12 noon. Then tune into the EYE Facebook event on Tuesday at 11.30 am when Iratxe García will discuss the role young people can play in the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Debate the Future of Europe with Gaby Bischoff MEP! On Monday 10 May at 4pm, S&D member Gaby Bischoff will be taking questions on what Europe’s future should look like. Follow the chat and ask questions via the S&D Facebook page and through our #Progressives4Europe page.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY

On Monday afternoon, the environment committee will vote for the European Climate Law, negotiated by S&D MEP Jytte Guteland, to secure a net target of 57% of CO2 emissions by 2030.

On Monday, S&D members of the economic affairs committee and the budget committee will take part in the first Recovery and Resilience Dialogue with Commissioners Gentiloni and Dombrovski to ensure transparency and scrutiny of how the recovery facility is being rolled out.

Frontex will be under the spotlight once again on Monday evening as the civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee meets with journalists to discuss the recent investigations into the border agency’s alleged involvement in the pushback of refugees in the Mediterranean.

On Tuesday, Media Freedom and Pluralism in the EU are on the agenda in a joint legal affairs and civil liberties committee. MEPs are discussing the improper and unjustified use of lawsuits to silence journalists, NGOs and civil society.

On Tuesday, the women’s rights and gender equality committee will vote on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU. S&D members believe these rights are a fundamental part of the right to health, as well as a crucial part of our fight for gender equality.

Throughout next week, S&D members will also be preparing for the next plenary session taking place in Brussels from 17-21 May.

You can follow all our activities and reactions throughout the week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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