At the Parliamentary hearing, the prospective Economy Commissioner stressed the need to advance the social market economy to ensure economic policy encourages sustainable growth and offers the social protections and stability Europeans are calling for. This means strengthening the economic and monetary union and pushing forward with the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. Paolo Gentiloni pledged to invest in Europe and introduce a raft of progressive measures as a Commissioner. This includes: a European Unemployment Benefit Reinsurance Scheme; decisive tax policies to drive forward sustainability; and, action on tax fraud, evasion and avoidance, including implementing reforms to reflect changing business models in the digital age.
This economic stance has the backing of the progressive political family as the route to a fairer, more equal, and more sustainable Europe.
PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“As a former Prime Minister and government minister, Paolo Gentiloni is adept at building consensus and trust. This vital skill, alongside his clear vision that we need to use tax policy and the levers of the economy to tackle inequality and the climate crisis and the digital transition, make him the natural candidate for Commissioner for the Economy. The PES looks forward to working with him as progressives continue to build a coalition across the institutions for fair taxation and more investment in our communities. It is time for an economy that works for all Europeans.”
Paolo Gentiloni is a former Italian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. As the Commissioner for Economy, he will lead efforts to ensure the EU’s economic policy encourages sustainable growth and offers the protection and stability Europeans need, taxation is fair and effective, and the EU’s Customs Union is strong and modern.