"The new strategy to combat poverty will not be effective unless the European Union changes its economic, trade, and migration policies," emphasized PiS MEP Marlena Maląg during a plenary debate in Strasbourg. In her view, the EU’s current actions—including the implementation of the Green Deal and trade agreements with non-EU countries—may lead to job losses and weaken the European economy rather than reduce poverty.
“The Commission and Parliament want to combat poverty in the European Union. The theory sounds wonderful. Now it’s time for action,” the MEP noted.
Marlena Maląg drew attention to the contradictions between the declared social goals and the European Union’s current economic and climate policies.
“How can we fight poverty when the Green Deal is closing down companies and taking away people’s jobs? How can we protect people from poverty when trade agreements are pushing European agriculture out of the market? How can we reduce poverty when a lack of migration controls increases pressure on social systems and national budgets?” she asked during her speech.
The MEP also raised the issue of the European economy’s competitiveness, pointing out that moving production outside the European Union could weaken the labor market in member states.
“If production, jobs, and investments are fleeing Europe, will poverty decrease? Perhaps—but not here. It will decline in Mercosur countries and in Asia—everywhere goods are flowing into Europe from,” she emphasized, referring, among other things, to imports of agricultural products from outside the EU.
Marlena Maląg pointed out that some of the countries exporting goods to the EU do not pursue an ambitious climate policy nor do they respect—as she noted—basic labor rights, which further contributes to unequal competitive conditions.
In the MEP’s view, an effective fight against poverty should begin with a review of key EU policies.
“Let’s start reducing poverty with smart trade, industrial, and migration policies. Europe, time is running out. Europe, wake up!” appealed Marlena Maląg.
