S&Ds on Commissioner hearing with Micallef: fairness, youth, culture and sport are in safe hands

Glenn Micallef -the Maltese nomination for a Member of the next College of European Commissioners -had his confirmation hearing today in the European Parliament's committee on culture and education. He has been designated with the portfolio of fairness, youth, culture and sport. The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament are satisfied by his answers, which demonstrated competence and clear commitment to the European cause,in line with the S&D Group's priorities for the new legislative mandate of the Parliament and the Commission 2024-2029. The S&D Group welcomes the Commissioner-designate's position on the pressing need to solve issues such as the precarious working conditions of artists and those employed in creative sectors. The Socialists and Democrats also share GlennMicallef's conviction that EU policy for the youngergeneration should be developed with youth, not just for them.

Ana Catarina Mendes, vice-president of the S&D Group for strong democracy and rule of law,said:

"It is high time the European Union establishedminimum standards for working conditions for artists with a strong EU framework for their social and professional status. The S&D Group has long been calling for this and we are delighted that today we heard a clear commitment from Glenn Micallef for a European legislation to this end. I am also happy he sees the Creative Europe programmeas a key tool for a thriving European creative sector, one which we need higher funding for.

"We also heard concrete ideas on how sport should be promoted and funded across the EU, including with the use of existing tools like the European Solidarity Corps. I am happy the Commissioner-designate intends to discuss the matter with his other colleagues in the College of the European Commission when the new pluriannual EU budget after 2027 is put on the table.

"Artificial Intelligence was another key element of Glenn Micallef's commitment. He is right in saying AI has to support, not replace,human creativity and we expect his strategy in this regard."

Hannes Heide,S&D spokesperson in the European Parliament's committee on culture and education,said:

"Commissioner-designate Micallef made it clear:greater engagement of young people in democratic life is crucial. This means we have to improve civic education and we have to make sure young people see thatthe EU works for them. In this sense, it is important there is enough funding for Erasmus+ -one of the greatest success stories of the EU. We have to make sure young people from the entire EU can go to a student exchange in another member state, regardless of their socioeconomic background, thanks to this programme.

"Our group is satisfied thatwellbeing and mental health are of utmost importance for the Commissioner-designate. He is right when he pointed out that children and minors are among the most vulnerable groups in our society, especially when it comes to the online environment. Cyberbullying, like any type ofbullying,has to be countered with zero tolerance- be it on social media or at schools -and we stand behind Mr Micallef's idea for an action plan,which he spoke about at the hearing.

"GlennMicallef himself is part of the young generation of Europeans. His nomination for a Commissioner is an excellent signal to European youth and we see he is eager to deliver. We see him as fully fit for the job and the portfolio he would be responsible for following today's hearing in the European Parliament."