By Heinz Becker - 31st January 2012
The pensions of older generations are not secured and health and social care provision is in danger
Heinz Becker
Europe must work to redesign its future taking into account the effects of demographic change and the need for intergenerational solidarity, writes Heinz Becker.
Europe is currently experiencing neither an EU crisis nor a euro crisis, but a debt crisis, which is mainly due to the failure to comply with the Maastricht criteria and all fixed EU agreements. Most debts were defined by populist runs towards debt by all stripes of governments.
The lack of discipline of individual governments in the eurozone has put the euro under threat. But the accusation that the EU would not be able to react is untrue, because the EU is acting, even if many criticise a two-state-dominance or an island country stepping out of line.
Remarkably, the debt crisis of the states and economic and financial crisis in 2010-11, led to far-reaching decisions at EU level, which are now already considered as milestones in handling the huge scope of the problems. On the success of operations in the future, we of course can only speculate.
Prepared by the European commission, member state governments committed the last few months to reforms, which heavily intervene in the previously considered untouchable sovereignty of national budget policies. Recently, in December 2011, it was the fiscal agreement of the 26, prior to the six-pack and the European semester. These are large and comprehensive agreements, which will allow the reforming of budget structures to end the debt crisis and also in order to prevent such crises in the future.
In focus today are social systems, primarily the affordability of retirement, pensions, healthcare and nursing. These items belong in all EU member state budgets, but are threatened to become large deficit-sources, since policymakers failed to take action against the enormous challenge of the – already known in detail – demographic changes. In particular, policymakers largely missed the implementation of innovative concepts already developed, which tackled the questions of a much longer working life and lifelong learning, or health or prevention. The ideas are there, only the implementation is missing.
The question of intergenerational justice – for both the young and old holds a high potential for conflict if pensions and debt are not made more affordable through social systems. The pensions of older generations are not secured and health and social care provision is in danger. Also, the amount of debt burdening future generations is such that no independent future developments are possible, thus reducing the options for their individual life plans. Justice demands first an understanding of the political responsibility of today’s leaders and then solidarity between the generations.
The occasion of the – financially limited – European year of active ageing and intergenerational solidarity 2012 is perfect to address these issues. In parliament, but also outside in civil society, we are already trying to convince people using limited instruments to provide for the re-designed future of a common shared living for all age groups.
Our ever-increasing life expectancy, may well have only positive aspects which come along with never before seen healthy and active years spent in later life. The 70s of yesterday are the 60s of today and until mid-century – only 35 years away – we will live until 100 like somebody does today at the age of 80.
Above all, member states must keep their promises: healthy public finances, reformed structures and a strong Europe of similarities in the union. On 24 January a high-level expert’s conference will raise aggressively the above mentioned issues and communicate innovative solutions in the circle of a qualified group of participants.
Heinz Becker is a member of parliament's employment and social affairs committee
