Czech presidency priorities include key social economy files

On July 1^st, 2022, Czechia took on the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU for 6 months. Under the slogan “rethink, rebuild, repower”, the Czech programme details the 5 main challenges it will tackle until the end of the year: solidarity with Ukraine, energy security, Europe’s defence, economic resilience and, finally, democratic resilience. Cooperatives Europe took a closer look at the programme and is pleased to see that the Czech Republic will focus its efforts on key files, including some we have been working on.

The presidency’s ambition in the field of social affairs is more than welcome. In particular, with regards to the implementation of the Social Economy Action Plan and its objective to reach a general approach at the Council on the directive on working conditions of workers on online platforms.

We also support the fact that energy autonomy and energy security are issues high on the Czech agenda. The presidency is determined to accelerate the implementation of REPowerEU and support the diversification of energy sources. Considering our work on the green transition and the Fit for 55 package, we see this point as an opportunity to push further the roll-out of renewable energy, energy savings, and clean mobility, in which many cooperatives are operating nowadays.

Finally, Cooperatives Europe is pleased to see that Czechia will also focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises during its Presidency. The Czech presidency will support the development of skills for increased competitiveness and aims at limiting administrative burdens on SMEs while reaching a common approach on the initiative on sustainable corporate governance.

Without any doubt, this ambitious programme aims at addressing the most pressing issues of the current geopolitical situation. Cooperatives Europe will support these objectives and will keep working towards a socio-political and economic recovery enabling European cooperatives to thrive in the Single Market.

Find our position paper on the Social Economy Action Plan here.