A new cross-party initiative in the European Parliament marks another important step in bringing Freedom to Stay into the heart of European policymaking.

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Eighteen Members of the European Parliament from six different political groups have jointly submitted a written question to the European Commission asking how the principle of Freedom to Stay will be reflected in the upcoming strategic cycle of the EU.

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Their initiative builds directly on Enrico Letta's vision for completing the Single Market and highlights a fundamental question for Europe's future:

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How can Europe ensure that people have genuine opportunities to build their lives where they choose, rather than feeling compelled to leave in search of jobs, education or essential services?

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A new policy narrative

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Freedom to Stay complements one of the European Union's founding principles by recognising another essential freedom, the ability to remain and thrive in one's own community.

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A stronger Single Market should expand opportunities everywhere. Europe's long-term competitiveness, resilience and territorial cohesion depend on vibrant local economies supported by affordable, accessible and high-quality services of general interest, skilled workers and attractive places to live and invest.

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Connecting the Single Market, industrial policy and territorial cohesion

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The parliamentary initiative reflects that the completion of the Single Market must go hand in hand with a more place-based industrial strategy.

 

This means strengthening local production ecosystems, supporting regional innovation and ensuring that Services of General Interest (SGIs) continue to provide the foundations for economic activity across all European territories.

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Freedom to Stay therefore is increasingly recognised as an economic and industrial objective that contributes to Europe's resilience.

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Three important questions for the European Commission

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The Members of the European Parliament ask the Commission to consider three concrete actions.

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First, they call for Freedom to Stay to become a guiding objective of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), linking competitiveness, territorial cohesion and social resilience.

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Second, they propose developing a Freedom to Stay indicator that would complement the European Semester by measuring whether citizens have real opportunities to remain and prosper where they choose.

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Third, they ask how the Commission intends to follow up on Enrico Letta's recommendation to prepare a European Action Plan for High-Quality Services of General Interest (SGIs).

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High-quality SGIs, including healthcare, education, transport, housing, childcare, digital connectivity, postal services, energy, and local and regional authorities, constitute the essential infrastructure that enables people, businesses and industries to remain rooted and flourish in every region of Europe.

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Without strong SGIs, there can be no genuine Freedom to Stay.

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From concept to European agenda

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Freedom to Stay is progressively evolving from an emerging idea into a European policy framework.

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The growing cross-party political support demonstrates that Freedom to Stay is becoming a shared European ambition: building a Union where citizens are free not only to move, but also to stay.

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We are now waiting to receive the European Commission's political response to this strong cross-partisan call for the implementation of the Freedom to Stay principle.