A European Social Model for the Future

Interview with José Albino Silva Peneda MEP (Portugal)

Why do you think a reform of what we call "The European Social Model" is necessary?

Because the world is changing rapidly. I think that the values inherent to the European Social Model are the same for all of Europe, but the way in which we apply those values in different Member States should be different. I can identify two main reasons to reform the European Social Model. First of all, demographic change. For many long centuries you had a population where the percentage of ageing people was relatively low. This is markedly different from today - we have a different society. Globalisation is the second issue. These two reasons should prompt us to reform the models of the different Member States according to the new realities that we are facing.

What role does the Lisbon Strategy play in terms of securing an efficient, sustainable a European Social Model?

It plays a fundamental role. It is fundamental because when you talk about the European Social Model you can't talk about it in a narrow sense. We need to reform other policy aspects. Concerning economic factors, if the growth rate in Europe is around 1%, it's quite difficult to reform the Social Model. Growth is intrinsically linked to social safeguards. Employment levels must improve. Opportunity levels must improve. The reform of the European Social Model is inseparable from the Lisbon Strategy - specifically with regard to, for example, the development of the single market. To reinforce the single market is another key requirement. And so many policy elements are interdependent in terms whether success can be achieved. I think that the role of the Lisbon Strategy is essential to the reform of the European Social Model. I think we can't talk about one or the other, they are bound together.

Finally, what is the goal of organising an EPP-ED Group hearing on this issue? What do you hope to achieve?

First of all, the European Social Model and the values inherent to the European Social Model are rooted in the heritage of the EPP as Christian Democrats. I think that it is necessary point to emphasise. Secondly, in co-authoring this report, the main objective is to promote discussion, examining potential ways to reform. We know very clearly that with this reform, we need to keep an open mind. Some of these reforms are quite difficult to implement in Member States. In political terms, it is very difficult for some of them, but it is nevertheless necessary to consider the ways in which this can happen. And one of the objectives of the report was to promote discussion. So this is an opportunity for the EPP-ED Group to lead this process with distinguished guests and professors of different universities, to share their expertise. I think it is important to facilitate discussion between people from universities - academics, scientists and so on, with politicians discussing their own experiences. In this way, shared knowledge can provide the necessary conditions in which to support much-needed reform.