6 May 2026: High-Level Launch Event of the Right to Stay Strategy
On 6 May 2026, Raffaele Fitto, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, launched the work for the future Right to Stay Strategy.
In a dedicated high-level with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Makis Keravnos, Minister of Finance representing the Cyprus Presidency of the Council, and Enrico Letta, EU Rapporteur on the Future of the Single Market, the Conference focused on setting the political context and underlining the strategic importance of Freedom to Stay for the completion of the Single Market and supporting regional competitiveness and resilience.
This moment marked a crucial step towards implementing Enrico Letta's report and the key concept of Freedom to Stay, highlighting the need to recognise citizens' right to live and thrive in their communities without being compelled to relocate in search of essential services, quality jobs, or decent living conditions.
Following the event, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, remarked:
“Today was an important moment for the future of a competitive, cohesive and resilient European Union. SGI Europe now calls on the Commission to follow up on Enrico Letta’s call to make the Freedom to Stay one of the key horizontal enablers for the future of the Single Market by 2028, and to strengthen the economic, social and territorial dimensions.“
“In that context, access to affordable and high-quality Services of General Interest will be a key element to turn the concept of Freedom to Stay into a concrete reality.“
SGI Europe, together with partners from the SGIs Network, launched the Coalition for the Freedom to Stay in February 2026. The Coalition brings together enterprises, social partners, local and regional actors, policymakers and civil society organisations committed to a balanced European model that combines competitiveness, social cohesion and preparedness.