Local and regional elected representatives are ready to address the real needs on the ground first by listening and then by acting together with the citizens. This was a key message delivered by EPP regional and local leaders at the second plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe which took place on 23 October 2021. The EPP regional and local team joined more than 400 citizens, EU and national politicians in Strasbourg and confirmed that local and regional authorities are committed to action.
Local and regional leaders want to strengthen European democracy and find workable solutions
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia (Greece) and President of the Association of Greek Regions, said that it is important to "talk on all issues that concern citizens across Europe from the European Green Deal and tackling climate emergency, to heath, to boosting local economies and local jobs and how to strengthen the house of European democracy."
Referring to the need to strengthen European democracy, Tzitzikostas said "Our Local and Regional Barometer shows that 65% of leaders from regions, cities and villages, feel that they do not have enough influence in the EU. 86% think that strengthening subnational government in the EU decision making would improve European democracy. We need to give answers because Europe is everywhere and Europe is us."
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group and President of West Pomerania Region said that '' local and regional leaders will contribute to the Conference by ensuring that any new ideas will be implemented not only for the people but also with the people. The proposals should be evaluated in terms of how they will impact people’s lives on the ground''.
Grassroots approach must continue beyond the conference
Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament and CoR delegate on behalf of the Regional Parliaments of Germany said that it is important that the Conference listens to the concerns and interests of citizens and that regional parliaments could play an important role in this regard. " The regional parliaments in particular are close to the citizen and, as multipliers, can convey European politics in a meaningful way."
Aigner warned that “starting the grassroots work in citizens' panels as part of the Conference but then continuing with a business as usual approach will only damage the EU. What we need is a real commitment, because that will ultimately connect us across borders.”
Local authorities express the need to communicate with the people
Emil Boc, Mayor of the City of Cluj-Napoca, President of the Romanian Association of Municipalities, Member of Council of the European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and Eurocities spoke on the need of communicating with citizens in a two-way approach. "Now is the time to consolidate our European project listening more to the voice of our citizens and to the voice of our local and regional authorities. We need not just communication to the people but communication with the people"
Boc also spoke on the role of education and culture as an antidote to intolerance, racism and populism and poverty in Europe. To make Europe stronger he called for reducing regional disparities in education and granting access to education for all citizens.