The European Parliament's Employment Committee on 2 June 2026 debated the Commission's first-ever Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, with MEPs broadly welcoming the initiative but diverging on its implementation and scope. The strategy, presented by Deputy Head of Unit Biljana Sirakova and led by Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef, aims to embed intergenerational fairness across EU policymaking through 15 actions, including a Youth Check, an Intergenerational Fairness Index, and a Longevity Roadmap.
Centre-right and centre-left MEPs staked out different priorities. EPP's Maravillas Abadía Jover stressed the need to address demographic decline and support families, while S&D's Marit Maij highlighted investing in young people and fighting poverty. Renew's Brigitte Van Den Berg called for integrating fairness into the Multiannual Financial Framework and social funds, and Greens-EFA's Maria Ohisalo emphasised linking fairness to the green and digital transitions. The Left's representative urged stronger social protection.
Two MEPs questioned the strategy's direction from opposite sides. Patriots for Europe's Séverine Werbrouck asked whether the strategy would remain declaratory, while ECR's Maria Teodorescu warned against centralised control and called for flexibility for member states. The Commission noted that the strategy is cross-sectoral and will be mainstreamed into existing policies, including the European Social Fund and National Reform Programme regulations.
The strategy could benefit youth and older workers through targeted policies, but may impose new reporting burdens on member states and social economy actors. Regional authorities could gain flexibility if the strategy remains non-prescriptive, but risk administrative costs if the Youth Check or Index require extensive data collection. The Commission plans to launch the Intergenerational Fairness Index in 2026 and a dedicated day on 16 November.