Children’s rights discussed ahead of German EU Council Presidency

The European Commission’s Country-Specific Recommendations attention to social is a welcome step. But child poverty must be prioritised in the recovery.

On 20 May 2020, the European Commission presented its country-specific recommendations (CSRs) providing policy guidance to EU Member States. As we look towards recovery, the strong emphasis on the social impact of the pandemic is a welcome step. The Spring Package outlines the need to translate the short-term efforts to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic into long-term policies. The Commission’s Communication prioritises fighting inequalities and recognises the “interconnectedness of economic, social and environmental spheres and the need for a holistic strategy to recovery”. Eurochild appreciates the European Commission using the European Semester to steer recovery efforts. The Commission has issued a recommendation to mitigate the employment and social impact of the crisis, notably by ensuring adequate social protection and minimum income, for all countries except for Czechia and Denmark