Germany’s historic responsibility in EU Presidency

As a European social partner and confederation of managers, CEC European Managers highly welcomes the new German Presidency of the Council of the European Union starting on 1 July 2020. The programme rightly identifies the priorities in the areas of a European pandemic response, the establishment of more European digital autonomy, the need to build a sustainable finance architecture, as well as giving a bigger role to social dialogue in Europe. Great attention is also paid to the global role of Europe as a geopolitical actor. The ambitions are high and much is at stake at a time where Europe is hit by a pandemic, historic unemployment risk and the climate emergency. Sustainable Leadership is needed more than ever.

« The presidency of Europe’s most populous country seems to create a special attention because there are hopes for a big push towards a common better future for all member states. Germany has the capacity to bring the best to Europe. Angela Merkel, as a wise leader, will safeguard cooperation as much as possible to strengthen the teamwork in the EU » comments Ludger Ramme, President of CEC European Managers

The German Presidency programme is based on following guiding principles :

• overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic permanently, as well as the economic recovery
• a stronger and more innovative Europe, with a clear focus on reinforcing Europe’s sovereignty in a series of critical domains
• a fair Europe
• a sustainable Europe
• a Europe of security and common values
• a strong Europe in the world

CEC European Managers also welcomes the announced implemention of the priorities of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) relevant to crisis management. These include the development of an EU framework for national minimum income protection systems, an EU framework for minimum wages and strengthening the role played by social partners. The Presidency further explains that « we are committed to an EU action plan to strengthen corporate social responsibility in global supply chains that promotes human rights, social and environmental standards and transparency. »

To better fight the Coronavirus, the German Presidency intends to better cooperate in the future, notably via « the Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR), the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), the Health Security Committee (HSC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as well as pandemic prevention with a cross-system exchange of information. »

Please find the programme of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union here.