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EU economy falters, MEPs demand social justice

Sunday, 08 October 2023 10:38 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 08 October 2023 10:44 AM ]

European Union Meeting. Jun 29, 2023. [AlexLMX/Shutterstock]

While heads of state were focusing on bringing more countries into the EU during a summit in Spain on Friday, millions of citizens across the current 27 member states are being neglected.

There are now 900,000 homeless people on any given night in Europe. And it's estimated that up to 125 million people in Europe live in energy poverty.

Kim Van Sparrentak, Dutch MEP

EU citizens are struggling to keep a roof over their heads

Lawmakers demand more social justice as EU economy falters

Millions of EU citizens struggle to keep a roof over their heads due to high inflation and rising interest rates.

Apparently social welfare systems in the EU are broken.

People across Europe are struggling to pay their rent, their mortgages, even the energy to heat their houses.

Those losing their jobs are at a serious risk of becoming immediately homeless.

Pedro Marques, Portuguese MEP

Germany, once again the ‘Sick Man of Europe’

Germany has once again become ‘Sick Man of Europe’

Germany, with its struggling economy, could once again be called the ‘Sick Man of Europe’ if structural issues are not addressed immediately.

Sanctions against Russia are hurting the EU economy while huge sums are spent on the war in Ukraine. Unlike EU decision makers, it seems a growing number of citizens want peace talks.

The solution is there. The solution is not to re-arm Europe.

Member of Public 01

If France or Belgium had the war and Ukraine had this huge money. Are we thinking that they're gonna give us this money? I don't believe so.

Member of Public 02

EU heading for recession as sanctions against Russia backfire

EU heading for recession as sanctions against Russia backfire

The EU

The European Central Bank has now increased interest rates 10 times in a row; the strategy, aimed at reducing inflation, is being questioned.

Inflation is the enemy of the poor and those on low incomes. But equally high interest rates causes recessions and recessions bring about unemployment.

Billy Kelleher, Irish MEP

Meanwhile, the cash keeps flowing out of the EU and into Ukraine.

F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

US approves transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

The US military has decided to send F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as the training of Ukrainian pilots is completed.

Since things escalated in February last year, the EU has spent 83 billion euro on arming Ukraine, propping up the government in Kyiv, and housing Ukrainian refugees.

Some legislators claim it's a war the EU simply cannot afford or win.

Analysts point out that those driving the EU's economic and foreign policies are well able to afford the consequences, unlike the average citizen.