The election of Jean-Claude Juncker as the president of the European commission is a historic leap forward for Europe. There has been growing disillusionment among many citizens in the European project, reflected in one in five voting for Eurosceptic parties during the elections, which was a reaction to the crippling economic crisis and the overall direction in which the EU has been heading.
It also reflected a sense of disdain by many who felt their voices were not being properly heard. The election of Juncker, as the candidate put forward by the party who gathered the most votes at the EU elections, has offered a glimpse of a changing union, offering a step towards more accountability, more legitimacy and more democracy in the EU.
Setting out his priorities president-elect Juncker has made it clear that reform will direct the commission's work over the next five years. His agenda for 'jobs, growth, fairness and democratic change' is an explicit statement of intent. The EU needs a different approach and the European committee of the regions is pleased that boosting the economy lies at the very heart of his plans.
With estimates placing growth at two per cent in 2015 in Europe, there are encouraging signs but when over 50 per cent of young people in countries such as Spain are faced with unemployment, much more needs to be done. We hope that the commission will further expand the youth guarantee scheme, offering the next generation the opportunities that they not only deserve but should expect.
"We will urge for the new commission to strengthen the territorial focus of EU policies and overcome the EU's territorial divide"
As the commission also continues to agree partnership agreements with each member state, there are positive signs that EU cohesion funds are being directed towards job creation locally and regionally. As we, at the committee, say time and time again, sustainable growth is only possible through action at the regional and local level. Given cities and regions are responsible for delivering 70 per cent of all EU policies, a reformed Europe needs to considerably increase the involvement of cities and regions in EU decision-making.
This is why I am particularly pleased that Juncker formally expressed his support for strengthening partnership, cooperation, and consultation of EU cities and regions when he signed the 'charter for multilevel governance in Europe' launched by the committee last May. We therefore expect that Juncker's commitment to 'democratic change' will include the expansion of the role of EU's cities and regions during his mandate.
Through the signing of cooperation agreements with both the parliament and the commission, the committee will take part in the preparation of the commission-candidates' hearings. We will put forward topics that are of particular importance for local and regional authorities to be submitted to the commissioner-designates, and will suggest questions to be raised during the hearings in parliament.
We will urge for the new commission to strengthen the territorial focus of EU policies and overcome the EU's territorial divide. This fundamentally includes the need to add a territorial dimension to Europe's strategy for growth and jobs and a closer involvement of cities and regions in the new economic and financial policy coordination. We also call for special attention to be given to the conduct of proper territorial impact assessments when preparing new EU regulations, as well as to the promotion of urban sustainable development.
"Economic and political reform must go hand in hand, and the largest challenge the EU faces is demonstrating that change is possible"
The new European commission led by president Juncker has set the right tone offering a new direction for the EU. We now have the right leadership, right financial investment coming from regional funding, and the right approach. Economic and political reform must go hand in hand, and the largest challenge the EU faces is demonstrating that change is possible.
Crucially a different type of Europe needs to listen to citizens. A starting point is to ensure that the EU has the full backing of local and regional and authorities. With the right level of political will our 353 members, as elected representatives of cities and regions, will then be ready to make the case that citizens are being listened to.