ECR Member Ádám Karácsony, rapporteur of the opinion "Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action", spoke today at the Demographic Congress in the European Parliament - an event organised by ECR Group MEP Marlena Maląg and featuring, among others, EP's Vice-President Antonella Sberna and former Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło MEP.

“Supporting families means ensuring decent living conditions and real opportunities not only in Europe’s capitals and large cities, but also — and perhaps above all — in our smaller towns, rural areas and less populated regions”, said Mr Karácsony during his intervention, calling for value-based and place-based policies to help reverse the negative demographic trends facing Europe.

"The demographic decline poses serious challenges to national governments and public administrations, who must rethink their approach to supporting families, improving work-life balance and making parenthood more accessible", added Mr Karácsony.

"We need to seize this moment and call on all EU institutions to recognise that without citizens there is no sustainable future for our continent".