A primary commitment

According to EU official data, approximately 80 million Europeans live at risk of poverty, representing 16-17% of all EU population. The EU defines “poor” all those – including families – who live below the “poverty line”, namely, below median income – calculated against the cost of living that varies from one Country to the next – and face serious obstacles in accessing employment, education, housing, social and financial services. The figures, issued in the first months of 2010 (proclaimed with due reason the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion), are reiterated from one conference to the next, in the media and in political and institutional seats of EU27 and at national level.Is it a primary target? The issue topped the agenda of the June 17 Summit. Participants stressed that EU27 Heads of Government or State were called to fix the “concrete objectives” of the Europe 2020 Growth and Employment Strategy. In the Summit’s “Conclusions” combating poverty is among the 5 “headline targets” of the Strategy. EU27 pledge “to promote social inclusion, in particular through the reduction of poverty, by aiming to lift at least 20 million people out of the risk of poverty and exclusion” (by 2020 ed.’s note). Unfortunately a footnote clarifies, “Member States are free to set their national targets on the basis of the most appropriate indicators, taking into account their national circumstances and priorities”. In other words, everyone will do as they please. Surging indigence. Indeed, in view of the adoption and implementation of Europe 2020, the Executive tasked Eurobarometer with conducting a survey on poverty in the EU. Accordingly, past May a sample of 25 thousand people throughout Europe were interviewed. The survey registers the expectations, fears and concerns of the Swedes, Cypriots, Portuguese, Brits along with those of French, German, Estonian and Hungarian citizens. The research, submitted in Brussels on June 22, shows that Europeans’ living conditions perception has been severely impacted by the ongoing crisis. “One on six Europeans have constant difficulties with keeping up with bills and credit commitments – the survey bluntly states – while 75% of Europeans find that poverty has increased at national level over the past year”. “Visible answers”. László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion said, “the survey results confirm that poverty is a major issue in the EU and that the current economic and financial situation is aggravating the situation further. The crisis is taking its toll and a significant proportion of Europeans today are finding it difficult to make ends meet”. According to the Commissioner, with the Europe 2020 Strategy the EU will provide “visible results”. Eurobarometer points out that “most Europeans think that poverty has increased in the year prior to the survey” (May 2009-May 2010), “in all ambits”. “Six on ten Europeans believe that poverty has increased in the area in which they live, 75% think it has increased in their country while 60% say it has increased throughout the EU”. The situation varies from country to country: “Greece stands out with 85% of respondents who think poverty has increased in their country. 83% of the French, 82% of Bulgarians, 77% of Romanians and 75% of Italians also share this view about their own country.Surprises and confirmations. The survey presents some surprises and some positive signs. “For example, 23% of Latvians expect their households’ financial situation to deteriorate (down from 65% in July 2009), 32% of Lithuanians (down from 58% in July 2009) and 20% of Hungarians (down from 48% in July 2009)”. Now less respondents in Latvia, Poland, the UK, Belgium and Finland “expect to remain unemployed if they were to lose their job”. But the “shadows” return. One in six Europeans reported that their household has had no money to pay ordinary bills, 20% had difficulties in keeping up with household bills. Around 3 out of 10 Europeans reported that it had become more difficult to bear the costs of healthcare. In terms of future income, 73% of EU citizens either explicitly anticipate lower pension benefits or think they will have to postpone their retirement or save more money for old age”.