Majority vote on Single Market strategy welcomed

The European Parliament’s plenary has approved, with overwhelming majority, the Parliament Report on the Single Market Strategy.

Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi was the S&D group main spokesperson. 

During the plenary debate shortly before the vote, Mizzi said: "Despite its significant achievements, citizens, consumers and businesses have become increasingly dissatisfied with the Single market, as it often fails to convince them that it truly represents their interests and aspirations. Therefore we need a fairer single Market that is politically supported, economically viable and socially acceptable by the European citizens stimulating sustainable economic growth and job creation.”

The Report on the Single Market Strategy is primarily a response to the Commission Communication on upgrading the Single Market. As the S&D rapporteur, Mizzi was glad to see that most of her amendments were reflected in the final Report.

Mizzi was particularly happy with the overwhelming support to paragraphs aimed at strengthening a highly competitive social market economy and sustainable growth, providing consumers with the highest level of protection and information,  promoting innovative start-ups, SMEs and social economy enterprises and opposing abuses in the Single Market trying to circumvent existing rules, lower workers', consumers' and environmental standards among others.

"It is our duty to ensure that the interests of citizens are protected from all points of view. This is why it is key to show that social aspects of the market become an integral part of the market itself, thus improving European Citizen well-being. Citizens need to see the common assets of the market especially when they work, travel, buy goods and engage in cross-border business.

“As a shadow rapporteur and spokesperson for the S&D, I strived to ensure that essential elements aimed  at safeguarding  the interests  of businesses, workers and consumers and improving the overall wellbeing if the citizens were included in this report," Mizzi said.