The European Parliament's Employment Committee debated the Commission's first-ever Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness on 2 June 2026, with MEPs broadly welcoming the initiative but pressing for concrete implementation. Deputy Head of Unit Biljana Sirakova presented the strategy, led by EU Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef, which aims to embed intergenerational fairness across EU policymaking through 15 actions, including a Youth Check, an Intergenerational Fairness Index, and a Longevity Roadmap.
MEPs from across the political spectrum 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. Greens-EFA's Maria Ohisalo emphasised linking fairness to the green and digital transitions. The Left's representative urged stronger social protection. Patriots for Europe's Séverine Werbrouck questioned whether the strategy would remain declaratory, and ECR's Maria Teodorescu warned against centralised control, calling 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 Programmes. Next steps include the launch of the Intergenerational Fairness Index in 2026 and a dedicated day on 16 November. The debate touched on a range of stakeholders: youth, older workers, families, social economy actors, and regional authorities. The main cleavage ran between those pushing for stronger EU-level action and those cautioning against overreach, with the ECR and Patriots for Europe questioning the strategy's added value and potential centralisation, while centre-left and green groups advocated for robust implementation and funding.