Expectations of the Deutscher Verein für öffentliche und private Fürsorge e.V. (German Association for Public and Private Welfare) regarding the German Federal Government for its presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2020

On 1 July 2020, the Federal Republic of Germany will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The Federal Government is taking over the presidency at a time where the member states of the EU are striving for orientation.

The strong focus of EU policy in recent years on economic growth and stability policy is coming up against its limits. It is true that the number of those in employment (aged 20-64) in the EU-28 rose last year to the highest level ever recorded
in the EU.1 But the aim of reducing the numbers of those in poverty in the EU by 20 million by the end of 2020 is no longer achievable.