In the resolution, MEPs expressed their concerns about the economic situation, persistent uncertainty, weak growth, competitiveness and productivity in the EU. MEPs add that many Member States are suffering from structural challenges that hinder their growth potential and that a lack of public and private investments in certain Member States is hindering the potential of socially balanced and sustainable growth. They also stress that providing for the necessary level of public investment is crucial to achieve the main objectives of the reform of the economic governance framework and to address the current and future priorities of the Union, such as financing the green and digital transitions.

MEPs say that the 2024 Country Specific Recommendations need to be focused on specific criteria while fostering sound and inclusive economic growth, competitiveness and macroeconomic stability, the green and digital transitions and social and inter-generational fairness. They add that the milestones and targets in national recovery plans should be consistent with these recommendations and that Member States should address at least a significant subset of them, as part of their national recovery and resilience plans.

Finally, MEPs also say that Member States should wind down crisis-related energy support measures and phase out fossil fuel subsidies as soon as possible.

The resolution, authored by René Repasi (S&D, DE) was adopted with 420 votes in favour, 123 against and 41 abstentions.

The tabled resolution on the employment and social priorities was rejected by 262 votes against, 256 in favour, and 58 abstentions.