European Parliament decides not to decide

In its last week of this legislature, the European Parliament (EP) decided by a very narrow majority of 291 votes to 284 (and 6 abstentions) not to vote on the trialogue agreement between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council amending the Regulations coordinating social security systems. However, MEPs did agree that there is further need for negotiations. Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and No 987/2009 regulate the coordination of social security systems in cross-border situations.

Need for amendment

In view of the case law of the European Court of Justice and socio-political developments, there has been a need for change in the regulations currently in force. The regulations on unemployment benefits, long-term care benefits, access to social benefits for persons who are not gainfully employed, family benefits and applicable legislation for posted workers and persons who are gainfully employed in two or more Member States need to be amended.

The main points of discussion are repeatedly the accumulation, exportability and coordination of unemployment insurance benefits for border workers and cross-border workers. However, the question of family benefits as wage replacement benefits and their amount are also controversial, especially if benefits for children are granted in a Member State other than the parent’s place of residence and the Member States involved have different national income or living standards.

What happens next?

As soon as the new European Parliament has been constituted, the Conference of Presidents (the President of Parliament and the chairs of the political groups) may decide to continue the dossier, making use of the work that has been done so far, or to start the review of the dossier afresh.

The new European Parliament is therefore not bound by the previous first reading of the proposal.