Message from S&D Group Leader, Iratxe García, on the Omnibus package:
“Progressive political group leaders have reached a cooperation agreement on the Omnibus package. Our groups want to ensure stability for the European Parliament as an institution, and predictability for companies. For this, our groups commit to work constructively throughout all steps of the negotiation process.”
After days of negotiations, the Socialists and Democrats reached an agreement with the pro-European majority in the European Parliament – EPP, Renew Europe and The Greens – to work jointly on the Omnibus package. Following the agreement, the S&Ds voted in favour of the so-called “stop-the-clock” during the plenary session, to add legal certainty for the implementation of EU flagship laws aiming to improve people’s lives: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). For more information, read the press release.
Up next:
President Trump’s announcement to impose 20% tariffs on all EU exports means that the EU needs to stand united and use its full power as the world's largest trading bloc. It's time to hit the US where it hurts, to maximise pressure on Trump's administration and defend European interests. Next week, we will be keeping an eye on this developing situation. Meanwhile, take a look at S&D vice-president Kathleen van Brempt’s timely reaction.
Next week, we will continue our efforts to ensure affordable, decent, and sustainable homes for all.
On Monday, the European Parliament’s committee on housing will discuss the impact of EU competition rules on housing investment. The S&Ds strongly advocate for reforming these rules to facilitate and strengthen public investment in housing for middle class and low-income families. Housing is a fundamental right and it must be protected in the EU.
On Wednesday, we are meeting with our progressive partners in national parliaments to exchange views on how to end financial speculation on housing, proposing inclusive housing solutions for the most vulnerable, and expanding access to affordable and climate-resilient housing.
Every year, over 250,000 EU public authorities spend around €2 trillion on the purchase of services, works and supplies. On Tuesday, 8 April, our MEPs in the committee on the internal market and consumer protection will exchange on the revision of EU public procurement rules. Our MEPs will call on the Commission to ensure that social and environmental criteria become compulsory when public authorities purchase goods, services or work. Public procurement means dealing with taxpayers’ money. It must ensure quality jobs and decent working conditions for all. Integrating mandatory environmental criteria into public procurement will support our economy’s resilience and enable strategic autonomy while creating a demand for green innovation.
Also on Tuesday afternoon, the European Parliament’s committee on environment, climate, and food safety will vote on the EU Water Resilience Strategy report, led by S&D MEP Thomas Bajada. This is a crucial step towards securing clean, accessible and well-managed water for the future. The report advocates for stronger pollution controls, improved water efficiency to reduce waste and address water scarcity, and climate adaptation measures to tackle floods and droughts. With growing water challenges across Europe – driven mainly by climate change and pollution – this strategy is essential for protecting ecosystems, public health and sustainable water use.
Next week, the S&Ds will proudly participate in Roma Week 2025. The week is a key moment to strengthen Roma inclusion and leadership within the European Union’s political framework and to address the unique challenges facing Roma, Sinti and Traveller communities in a changing Europe. Promoting equality, ending discrimination, championing culture, action for youth and women, and supporting Roma in Ukraine – these are all key to strengthening access to fundamental rights for Europe's Roma communities.
Upcoming events:
Next Monday, the Socialists and Democrats will kick off a process to strengthen cooperation with progressive forces in the ten countries aspiring to join the EU by relaunching our flagship Willy Brandt Programme for EU Enlargement. Our mission remains clear: to make Europe whole and complete. In the face of monumental geopolitical shifts, Europe must give a fresh push to the enlargement process – its most successful peace project. In an increasingly unpredictable and adversarial world, we are reinvigorating this process to reinforce democracy, security and prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood and thus within the EU.
Ahead of the 2004-2013 EU enlargements, the S&Ds played a key role in preparing political partners from aspiring countries through the Willy Brandt Programme, named after the visionary leader who strove to reconcile Eastern and Western Europe. As we enter the 2024-2029 parliamentary term, we are relaunching this initiative with renewed commitment. Over the next four years, the programme will strongly support EU enlargement and enhance the role of progressive forces and civil society in EU candidate countries.
The programme’s relaunch will be marked by a high-level conference hosted by S&D vice-president for enlargement Kathleen Van Brempt, S&D spokesperson on foreign affairs Nacho Sánchez Amor, European Parliament rapporteur on Serbia Tonino Picula and European Parliament rapporteur on Albania Andreas Schieder. We will engage with several high-level speakers from the ten aspiring countries, among them Kosovo’s prime minister Albin Kurti as well as deputy prime ministers and party leaders.
See the full programme here.
For those in the EP in Brussels on Monday 7 April, please come and join us in room PHS 04B1 at 15:00.
Journalists interested in attending a press briefing on the topic on Monday morning, please contact the press officer responsible Petra Miklavc.
And as always don’t forget to stay updated on all our initiatives and reactions on Facebook, Bluesky, X, Instagram, Telegram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and TikTok!
