European Parliament Adopts EU Anti-Poverty Strategy Report. But Is the Eradication of Poverty in Europe on a Safe Path?
Today, the European Parliament adopted its report on the future EU Anti-Poverty Strategy (EU APS), sending an important political signal: the European Commission must take swift action to eradicate poverty and make it a central priority for the European Union.
For over a year, the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) has worked intensively to ensure there are strong foundations for a comprehensive, rights-based and adequately funded EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. This report was a hopeful moment for the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, planned to be out in May.
Juliana Wahlgren, EAPN’s Director, shared, “The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy can change the future of millions of people in Europe, where currently over 93 million people live in poverty. Today, we welcome the adoption of the report with caution, as it reflects the political will of the Parliament and includes several changes from a first, more robust version.”
Dangerous downgrades weaken the ambition
The final text reflects significant political pressure that diluted key elements essential for a truly transformative Strategy.
In particular, EAPN strongly regrets:
- The exclusion of undocumented people and migrants, adopted in the same week that the Parliament voted to roll back the right to asylum.
- The deletion of the paragraph calling for a Directive on Minimum Income.
- The removal of references to fair taxation policies and a more equitable distribution of wealth.
- The rejection of amendments strengthening the link between environmental policies and poverty eradication.
- The rejection of calls for a dedicated budget and new work plan for the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness (EPOCH).
- The deletion of proposals to create national and EU-level coordinators on poverty, weakening governance, and accountability mechanisms.
“These changes send a worrying signal. It’s not possible to eradicate poverty while excluding people or without fair taxation. We expected a stronger position from the European Parliament, and we are now concerned about the impact this vote will have on the final Strategy.” added Carlos Susías, EAPN President.
While the European Commission is not legally bound by European Parliament reports, today’s vote carries significant political weight. Therefore, EAPN highlights several important adopted elements, including the recognition of the multidimensional nature of poverty, the goal of eradicating poverty, the push for adequate funding through the Multiannual Financial Framework, references to the risks of AI in public services, among others.
“This report acknowledges that poverty is not an individual failure but the result of structural inequalities. It is especially important for EAPN that the role of people experiencing poverty in the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy process is recognised, and we hope participation is taken seriously by the European Commission,” said Jessica Machacova, EAPN Policy and Advocacy Officer.
The European Commission must now translate this political momentum into a robust EU Anti-Poverty Strategy that is comprehensive, rights-based, inclusive, and backed by sufficient funding.