The choice of Athens as the launchpad for her campaign is seen as strategic, marking the 50th anniversary of Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, a pivotal member of the EPP. The event held significant symbolism, being hosted at the historic Zappeion Hall, where Greece committed to the European Communities in 1979.

Von der Leyen’s campaign management sees the appointment of Björn Seibert, her chief of staff, who has taken a leave of absence to lead her campaign team, including Alexander Winterstein as chief spokesperson. With a campaign budget of €5.27 million allocated by the European People’s Party, Seibert and Winterstein are set to take unpaid leave from their Commission roles until after the election on 10 June. Anthony Whelan, von der Leyen’s adviser on tech and digital policy, will serve as acting head of the Cabinet during Seibert’s absence.

However, von der Leyen’s campaign launch unfolds amidst controversy. MEPs during Thursday’s plenary in Brussels called for the rescindment of her close ally and current EPP MEP Markus Pieper’s appointment as the European Commission’s small business envoy. The move, met with allegations of political cronyism against von der Leyen, has sparked debates within the European Parliament over the principles of merit and balance in her appointments. Despite the MEPs’ vote passing with a significant majority, the extent of its influence over a decision made by a separate EU institution remains uncertain.

L'articolo Von der Leyen Kicks Off Re-election Bid Amid Appointment Controversy proviene da The Watcher Post.

During the roundtable discussion, five hundred best business practices on the theme of female empowerment were presented within specific missions of the Italian NRRP, contained in the updated edition of the volume “Equality for a New Responsible Recovery”, carried out by Valore D in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group.

The event represented the natural evolution of Valore D’s work and commitment at the institutional level and an opportunity to transfer the discussion to a community level, through a dialogue that saw the active participation of institutional actors and companies.

The importance of the public-private partnership and alliance was emphasized by the President of Valore D, Cristiana Scelza, as a tool to achieve significant and lasting results. Intervening at the opening, she emphasized this synergistic collaboration: “The work presented stems from an awareness that has always accompanied the vision of our association: the value of the public-private partnership, functional to this growth, and that’s why we went to present it at the European level. We believe, in fact, that an effective recovery is possible if supported by open and constant dialogue between institutions and companies.”

In the current European legislature, significant progress has been made in the field of female empowerment. However, there is still much to be done to reduce the gender gap and ensure equal opportunities for all. As explained by Hon. Patrizia Toia, “European institutions, national governments, and businesses all need to contribute to achieving a true ‘Union of equality’ to give substance to these principles that are already at the core of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.” MEP Toia emphasized the role of the European Parliament in this process, charting the course towards “increasingly advanced legislation” and “projects and funding programs that move in this direction.”

The role played by the EU in promoting gender inclusion and equality in this legislature to address challenges such as the green, digital, and demographic transitions has been also highlighted by Annelisa Cotone, member of the Cabinet of Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli. She emphasized the labor market and the challenge of ensuring competitiveness through a targeted action plan to address the shortcomings of underrepresented groups, particularly women. This includes addressing the gender pension and wage gap, as well as promoting greater participation of women in STEM sectors.

The event, moderated by Alessandra Santacroce, Director of Institutional Relations at IBM, President of the IBM Foundation, and Chair of Valore D NRRP working group, continued with a constructive dialogue between companies and institutions, analyzing the work carried out by Valore D and Boston Consulting Group. From the study on the NRRP, presented by Giada Maldotti, Partner Social Impact at BCG, emerged the need for effective strategies aimed at reducing the gender gap, which currently places Italy in a position lagging behind other EU countries. The contributions of Floriana Notarangelo and Michelangelo Suigo, respectively Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Barilla and EVP-External Relations, Communication and Sustainability Director at Inwit Spa, highlighted the best business practices aimed at overcoming these challenges.

Representatives of European institutions have stressed the importance of gender equality policies centered around the vision of diversity as a source of innovation, aimed at overcoming current challenges. Stefano Verrecchia, Italy’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, emphasized the need to pay greater attention to industrial development at the beginning of the new legislature, putting the theme of gender equality at the forefront of the political agenda.

There are numerous areas that require special attention from public decision-makers, as highlighted by European Parliament members. From the issue of the gender pay gap and its relationship with artificial intelligence, to ensure that there is no discrimination in the workplace due to algorithmic biases, as emphasized by Hon. Brando Benifei, to the promotion of a family culture where responsibilities are equally shared between men and women, with investments in services and welfare to support families and women, also through active involvement of businesses in political reflection, as highlighted by Hon. Nicola Danti. According to Hon. Susanna Ceccardi, only through adequate support and greater visibility of female entrepreneurs can we ensure real progress towards gender equality in entrepreneurship.

“In Europe, the condition of women is still very challenging, and among European countries, Italy certainly does not rank among the best. Unfortunately, women still face a lot of difficulties, especially in the world of work,” commented Hon. Alessandra Moretti on the sidelines of the event. “It is right that governments commit much more. We talk about demographic stagnation; if women are not having children anymore, it’s not their fault, but because conditions are lacking to support them in reconciling their life and work schedules.“

It is evident that there are still numerous challenges to be addressed, often stemming from cultural prejudices that can hinder the potential of diversity as a source of enrichment and innovation. According to Hon. Tiziana Beghin, “as entrepreneurs and leaders, we have the power and responsibility to shape a more sustainable future for generations to come. It is crucial that every action we take considers the impact on our planet and the communities around us.”

And it is precisely this commitment on which institutions and businesses, in a constructive and constructive dialogue, must focus their efforts to address current challenges, ensuring a more inclusive future where diversity represents a source of innovation and growth.

Link to italian version with video

L'articolo Valore D presented 500 best business practices on women’s empowerment to the European Parliament proviene da The Watcher Post.

At just 37 years old, Harris, a well-known minister for his role as Health Minister during the initial response to COVID-19, is set to make history as Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister. The parliament is scheduled to convene on 9 April, where Harris is anticipated to secure the position with the backing of Fine Gael’s coalition partners, Fianna Fáil (Renew) and the Green Party (Greens).

Despite calls from the opposition for an early election, Harris will likely have one year to salvage his party’s prospects ahead of parliamentary elections, with opinion polls consistently favouring the nationalist Sinn Féin, aligned with the European Left in the European Parliament, to lead the next government.

Varadkar’s unexpected announcement of his departure was perceived as a political bombshell, catching even his closest allies off guard. Citing both personal and political reasons, he stated that Fine Gael’s prospects for re-election would be enhanced under new leadership.

Harris, widely regarded as one of Ireland’s most visible government ministers and a strong media performer, has earned the nickname “TikTok Taoiseach” (Irish for prime minister) due to his active engagement on social media platforms. Reflecting on his journey into politics, Harris has shared how his advocacy stemmed from his dissatisfaction as a passionate and opinionated teenager, witnessing the lack of support for his autistic brother in the education system.

Despite Harris’s portrayal of himself as an “accidental politician,” insiders in Dublin assert that there is nothing accidental about Harris’s ascent through the Irish political ranks. Many believe he has meticulously plotted his path to Taoiseach for years, as evidenced by the swift pace at which he garnered nominations from his party colleagues.

Noted for his adept communication skills and his knack for steering clear of crises, only time will tell how the TikTok Taoiseach will navigate the challenges of the spotlight and lead effectively.

L'articolo Harris Set to Make History and Become Ireland’s Youngest PM proviene da The Watcher Post.

The performance and prospects of the global agricultural commodities market are also affected by geopolitical and economic competition between the United States and China. In early 2020, a bilateral agreement was signed in which China made a commitment to increase imports of U.S. agricultural products by $200 billion over two years. U.S. corn exports to the Chinese market rose to 17 million tons. The understanding was not renewed, and currently, based on the latest data released by the State Department of Agriculture (USDA), sales have shrunk to 1.7 million tons.

Authorities in Beijing have decided to divert purchases to Brazil, which is part of the BRICS, the group of emerging economies joined by the Russian Federation, India and South Africa, among others, as well as China itself. In detail, more than 30 percent of Brazil’s corn exports went to the Chinese market last year. A broadly similar situation was recorded for soybean purchases. The loss of the Chinese market was offset by a sharp increase-more than 30 percent-of U.S. exports to the European Union.

As a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, the global order has deteriorated. Trends in international trade are increasingly influenced by geopolitical interests rather than economic expediency.

On March 26, the EU Agriculture Council will begin discussion on CAP reform proposals put forward by the Commission to provide a concrete response to farmers’ protests. The Executive’s draft legislation includes positive changes with a view to bureaucratic simplification, but the absolute inadequacy of the CAP in relation to the unstable conditions on the international scene remains in the background.

Issues related to market stability, increasing the agricultural budget, and protecting farmers’ production potential and income remain open. And again: the dissemination of technological innovations for greater environmental sustainability and risk management as a function of climate change.

What is needed, in short, and urgently, is the development of a new strategy for agriculture and the agrifood system. This is the priority to be addressed immediately after the elections to the European Parliament and the installation of the new Commission.

Weekly note by Confagricoltura

L'articolo Confagricoltura, green light for EU duties on grain imports from Russia proviene da The Watcher Post.

L'articolo Highlights from the European Council: unity, support, and action proviene da The Watcher Post.

Netherlands
Far-right PVV Freedom Party led by Geert Wilders won 37 seats out of 150 in the Netherlands’ general elections on 22 November, far ahead of the Labour-Green alliance led by former EU commissioner Frans Timmermans and the conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. However, as of 14 March, Wilders said that he would not be prime minister due to a lack of support across the political spectrum. If made PM, Wilders would become the first PM for the ID group.

Portugal
Following a corruption scandal, Socialist PM António Costa resigned (caretaker PM until a new government is formed), and Portugal held a snap parliamentary election on 10 March. The centre-right Democratic Alliance coalition won 29.5%, with the incumbent Socialist Party at 28.7%. The far-right Chega party emerged as a key actor, getting 18%. President de Sousa has met with the parties from 12 to 20 March as part of the process of appointing a new prime minister.

Croatia
Croatia will hold elections on 17 April. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s government (HDZ/EPP) is seen as the most likely victor. Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic announced that he would run against Plenković’s representing the Social Democratic Party, however, the Constitutional Court said on Monday 18 March he can only run for PM’s post in the April parliamentary elections if he resigns as head of state first.

Belgium
Belgian Federal elections are scheduled to take place on the same day as European Elections – i.e. 9 June 2024. Voters will elect the 150 members of the Belgian Parliament (the Camber of Representatives) for a five-year term.

Incoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council (July – December 2024)
Hungary is set to take over the rotating EU Presidency in July 2024, right after the European elections. Members of the European Parliament floated strategies in May 2023 that could be employed to weaken if not entirely cancel Hungary’s EU presidency amid issues between EU institutions and Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán over backsliding on the rule of law. However, any major interruptions remain unlikely.

Bulgaria
On Tuesday 19 March, Bulgaria’s two largest political parties failed to reach an agreement on a new power-sharing cabinet, opening the way to possible snap elections.  Prime Minister Nikolay Denko from the liberal PP-DB party resigned this month ahead of a planned rotation with Bulgaria’s former EU commissioner for innovation Mariya Gabriel from the centre-right GERB party. However, negotiations between the two partners collapsed on Tuesday over the designation of posts in the new government. Reports suggest that Gabriel insisted on keeping her current foreign affairs portfolio along with the premiership and the GERB also demanded the key defence and energy ministries. Denkov said this was “unacceptable”.

Ireland
On Wednesday 20 March Leo Varadkar announced he is stepping down as Taoiseach (Irish PM) and Fine Gael leader. He will remain as Taoiseach until a new party leader is elected after the Easter recess. His successor will have a full two months before the local and European elections in June. Despite calls from the opposition, Varadkar stepping down makes an early election less likely, and the coalition government between Fine Gael (EPP), Fianna Fail (RE) and the Greens (Greens) looks likely to complete its mandate with elections expected at the latest in March 2025.

L'articolo National Dynamics Remain Significant Amidst European Election Preparations proviene da The Watcher Post.

Delegates formally elected von der Leyen to serve as the party’s lead candidate for the upcoming European election in June. Von der Leyen, who announced her candidacy for a second term as head of the Commission on 19 February, faced no opposition.

Despite 737 eligible EPP delegates from across Europe, only 499 participated in the vote, with 89 casting ballots against von der Leyen. The low turnout indicates widespread anticipation of her election and a lack of engagement from delegates. Furthermore, the EPP French delegation voted against von der Leyen, with a Les Républicains spokesperson insinuating they were not alone in their opposition, stating to a Brussels-based media channel “many colleagues, including a significant number of Germans, have expressed gratitude for voicing their reservations.”

Given the EPP’s anticipated retention of its position as the largest party group in the European Parliament and the positive disposition of several European leaders towards her, von der Leyen is almost certain to secure a second term, unless there is a late surprise.

Following her selection, the Commission president promptly transitioned into campaign mode, outlining the key themes for the forthcoming campaign and her second term. In addition to established priorities such as supporting Ukraine and bolstering European defence, she notably emphasised the EPP’s core concerns of combating illegal migration, enhancing competitiveness, and safeguarding farmers throughout the bloc.

The delegates of EPP member parties adopted the Manifesto for the 2024 European Parliament elections, entitled “Our Europe, a safe and good home for our people”. The document presents the EPP’s vision for the next institutional cycle (2024-2029) and the European centre-right’s views on issues such as security and defence, competitiveness and migration, focused always on the prosperity of the citizens of Europe.

Regarding the Green Deal, manifesto commits the EPP to spearheading the “next phase” of its “implementation” by prioritising technological solutions and economic growth in policy decisions and achieving climate neutrality, rather than adhering strictly to ideology. The EPP remains steadfast in retaining control of the Commission’s Green portfolio, which the Socialists aspire to lead following the EU elections.

During the Congress, the participants had the opportunity to follow an engaging exchange of views on critical issues for the future of Europe such as economy and jobs, security and defence, intergenerational solidarity and fairness.

Finally, the Congress delegates passed the following six resolutions:

• Passing legislation allowing EU member states to expropriate frozen Russian property.
• Resolution on the defence of the rule of law in the European Union.
• Rural mobility, fostering European agriculture competitiveness and improving demography and the vitality of rural areas.
• On the EU Plan for the victory of Ukraine
• Implementation of the Rule of Law in Albania – The Case of Beleris
• Child exposure to online content

L'articolo EPP is standing for Europe, strong and secure, peaceful and prosperous, democratic and united proviene da The Watcher Post.

Exploring the intersection of music, mood and movement, the project team measured the tremor of five people with Parkinson’s and composed unique songs with their tremor data embedded into the song’s core.

The project was led by Neurologist Dr. Christian Lambert, a Principal Investigator at UCL who interviewed individuals affected by Parkinson’s and took recordings of their tremors. This was then sent to DaHouse, where the raw data of each participant’s tremor was transformed into a musical element and used to affect the instruments and melodies of the tracks. To ensure that each participant saw themselves in the song, the lyrics were based on their individual journey with Parkinson’s and the melody on their favourite music genre.

The songs had a positive impact on the participants. The reactions were as individual as their condition. «I feel a physical change in my symptoms when I have an emotional reaction to things. And, there’s nothing more emotional than music that’s based on me», said Kuhan, the participant whose song is called “The Greatest Day”.

Clare, whose encouraging song “Starlight Keeper” is about acceptance said, «It made me consciously let go of my hands, instead of holding my hand to stop my tremor”, and added, “I just want to share it with everybody. Listen to this. This is me, this is my tempo, this is my tremor».

Dr. Lambert describes the importance of the project: «In managing Parkinson’s, it’s not all about medications. There is a broad range of strategies and therapies available that can form part of a holistic approach to care that is tailored to the individual person. Our hope is that this project will inspire patients, people caring for people with Parkinson’s, and researchers to take some of this work further, to provide more ways to help understand, manage and treat the condition».

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising and Experience, Parkinson’s UK, said, «The Tremors vs. Tremors project is an innovative way to express people’s experiences of Parkinson’s and we are incredibly appreciative that the royalties from the album will go to Parkinson’s UK».
The aim of “Tremors vs. Tremors” is to continue to raise awareness of the variability in Parkinson’s, while also highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to managing symptoms. The whole project is gathered on a dedicated website at www.tremorsvstremors.com, which tells each participant’s story and explains the process in more depth. The “Tremors vs. Tremors” album is available widely on all major music streaming platforms, like Spotify or Apple Music, and includes a limited edition of vinyl records. All proceedings go to Parkinson’s UK.

The “Tremors vs. Tremors” project will launch during Brain Awareness Week (11^th – 17^th March 2024) and at an online event hosted by UCL in collaboration with Innocean, DaHouse and Parkinson’s UK.

L'articolo Bespoke songs providing relief to people with Parkinson’s. The pioneering project by UCL proviene da The Watcher Post.

The Aliança Democrática (AD) coalition, under the leadership of Luís Montenegro, claimed victory in Portugal’s political elections with 29.5% of the polls, compared to the 28.7% obtained by Pedro Nuno Santos’ Socialist ruling Party (PS). Nevertheless, the percentage secured by AD is not enough to form a government alone. While AD managed to secure 79 seats, Partido Socialista obtained 77 seats, undermining the possibility for centre-right to form a government.

Pedro Nuno Santos, Costa’s successor as PS leader, stated that he would not block Montenegro’s attempt to form a government but would not assist him in passing bills either. In this fragmented context, the far-right party Chega emerged as the actual winner, quadrupling its seats compared to 2022 and apparently disrupting the bipartisan system.

Led by André Ventura, who has been publicly rejecting the far-right label, Chega has nevertheless aligned himself with leaders of parties such as Lega in Italy, Rassemblement National in France, and Vox in Spain. Thanks to the electoral result, Chega will get at least 48 seats in the Assembly of the Republic out of a total of 230, securing a key role in next years’ Portuguese political landscape. The success of Chega was fueled by the support of former Socialist voters, former centre-right voters and young first-time voters, whose concerns ranged from low wages (the sixth lowest in the EU), rising housing crisis, corruption and immigration. 

The fragmented political landscape, marked by disenchanted and weary voters, an insecure majority, and the emergence of a growing far-right third faction, paints a picture of imminent ungovernability.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will now consult leaders of all parties and ask AD coalition leader Luis Montenegro to form a government. Unless unexpected developments arise, a minority government led by Montenegro should be sworn in next month.

Montenegro’s likely minority government would have to negotiate with other parties to pass legislation on a case-by-case basis. The 2025 budget is likely to be the first test towards the end of this year. Historically, the failure to pass a budget often results in the collapse of the government, leading to new elections. The Portuguese Constitution stipulates that six months must pass before new elections can be held, and they can only take place 55 days later. Since a new parliament is impossible before mid-November, the country must find a way to cope with a divided assembly in the meantime.

Three months ahead of European elections, this political outcome has a negative impact on European Socialists & Democrats (S&D), which may be about to lose another head of government in the EU. With only 4 leaders remaining in the Council, the S&D family will have less negotiating power when it comes to defining next term EU top jobs.  

Conversely, it is unclear how much the European People’s Party (EPP) can genuinely celebrate the victory in Portugal, as it is ahead by only a few thousand votes and may face a wave of political instability.

Ultimately, the ascent of Chega reflects a broader trend of gains by far-right parties across Europe, with the likely consequence of increasing the representation of the populist ID group also in the European Parliament.

L'articolo Portuguese center-right coalition declares a narrow electoral victory as radical right gains momentum proviene da The Watcher Post.

«This Congress of the socialists is a significant energy boost. It’s wonderful to see the parties of our political family finally united and unanimous in envisioning a clear future for Europe and our shared future», said MEP Beatrice Covassi to The Watcher Post. A vision for the future that stands in sharp contrast to the bleak one offered by the far right.

«We represent hope for the future. The narratives of right-wing parties are rooted in fear and frustration, feelings that are understandable given the difficult times we are currently experiencing. However, we counter this fear and frustration with hope, offering a vision of optimism for the youth, for all those who feel sidelined, and for women who are all too often not treated as full-fledged citizens. We are presenting concrete proposals to build a Europe that truly fulfils the dream of our founding fathers and mothers», adds Covassi.

Hope, this is the socialist recipe, based on the concrete achievements that social democracy has achieved during the recent years. «There was a time in which people were convinced that social democracy had no future in Europe» said Sánchez, explaining how solidarity was key in responding to the pressing crises of our age – the pandemic and the war. «Once again it was the social democracy that saved us» he said.

The Portuguese Antonio Costa spoke of empowering people investing in skills and building real European industrial policy, while Commissioner Gentiloni proposed to establish a common financing mechanism of EU common goods, and Chancellor Scholz called for ending unfair tax competition inside the EU. These are some of the concrete solutions proposed by the leaders on stage.

The manifesto, adopted during the Congress, reflects this approach, proposing 20 commitments for the common candidate and the European socialist parties. Elected unanimously, it will be the Luxembourgish Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, to run for the Party of European Socialists.

In his speech, the Spitzenkandidat touched upon many of what will be the fundamental elements of the socialists’ campaign towards the elections. It took the moves from the war in Ukraine and Gaza, reinstating that Europe is a peace project, calling for increasing support to Ukraine and committing for peace in the Middle East region.

Schmit then emphasized the need for Europe to protect its citizens, helping workers, including farmers, in times of change and in the twin transition. The common candidate committed in practicing a strong dialogue with all the parts. «We will not let those workers alone» he said, recalling that climate change affect more severely the most vulnerable ones.  He stressed also the importance to offer high quality jobs and implement a green deal with a social heart. “Climate neutrality has to be a force for social and economic progress” stated the Spitzenkandidat.

To do so, Europe cannot embark on the path of austerity. In this moment of major changes the Union is facing, it is necessary, according to the socialist candidate, to reform the economic governance as to provide the much needed investments in tech, in people and social protection and in defence. To turn the threats into opportunities, Schmit claims it is necessary to increase EU investing capacity – “without EU investing capacity the EU competitiveness is at stake” he said – and to establish a permanent investment fund.

Lastly, he sent a message to the other parties of the governing coalition, the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE). Schmit urged them to stay true to themselves and their history and to reject the cooperation with the conservatives – a clear stance that emerged also from the words of many other leaders, including Elly Schlein and Frans Timmermans.  «The centre-right believes that there is a future for them in allying with the far right. We will never form a coalition with them» said the former Green Deal chief.

Now that the Congress is over, the candidate is elected and the manifesto is approved, that campaign can really start. The priorities are clear and so is the idea of Europe the socialist will promote. Will these succeed in bringing people to vote for them at the polls?

L'articolo Socialists adopt manifesto and elect Spitzenkandidat for EU elections in Rome PES Congress proviene da The Watcher Post.

Hayer, a staunch supporter of President Emmanuel Macron and a MEP from the Renaissance party, rose to prominence after taking on her new role as group President in late January, succeeding Stéphane Séjourné, who earlier this year was appointed as France’s Foreign Minister. With a background in law, she made her entry into the European Parliament in 2019, having previously engaged solely in local politics.

Hayer, who comes from a family of farmers, will be unexpectedly joined by Bernard Guetta, a former journalist and current MEP specialising in foreign affairs, as the second candidate. It is believed that President Macron personally selected Hayer and Guetta, a decision that underscores the French president’s intention to focus on agriculture and the conflict in Ukraine during the campaign. The list also features Nathalie Loiseau, who is a defence specialist as the chair of the Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and was the party’s lead candidate in the 2019 elections. While Séjourné was initially viewed as the frontrunner before assuming the role of Foreign Minister, he still features on the list, albeit in a much lower position.

The composition of the political list appears to reflect Macron’s recent strategic shift aimed at appealing to right-wing voters. One notable change is that Pascal Canfin, previously second on Renaissance’s 2019 list and currently chairing the Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety in the European Parliament, but who has recently become a hate figure for the French Farming Union, faces uncertainty regarding his role in the 2024 campaign.

At present, with a polling figure of 19%, the Renaissance is trailing substantially behind Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National (ID), which boasts a commanding 30%.

L'articolo Macron’s Agenda shines through in likely Renaissance EU election Line-Up proviene da The Watcher Post.

Le leasing électrique est une location avec option d’achat (LOA), sans apport initial, au coût de100 ou 150 €par mois selon les modèles (citadine/familiale, hors assurance et entretien). Sa durée minimale est de 3 ans. Il est prévu que l’Etat finance chaque location à hauteur de 13.000 euros maximum, via le bonus écologique et une surprime.

Dispositif destiné en premier lieu à soutenir la mobilité électrique pour les déplacements domicile, son accès était soumis à certaines conditions: pouvoir justifier d’un domicile en France, le revenu fiscal de référence du foyer fiscal par part devait être inférieur à 15 400 euros, le candidat au leasing devait habiter à plus de 15 kilomètres de son lieu de travail et faire plus de 8 000 kilomètres par an en voiture dans le cadre de son activité professionnelle. Un dispositif destiné donc aux gros rouleurs. Seuls les véhicules électriques construits en France ou en Europe étaient éligibles à ce bonus.

Pour cette première année de lancement, un quota de 20 à 25 000 voitures était initialement prévu, avec la règle du «premier arrivé, premier servi». C’est finalement le double des ménages qui pourront en bénéficier, avec 50 000 véhicules qui seront finalement livrés en 2024, au titre du leasing social. Fin janvier, c’est plus de 90 000 demandes qui avaient été enregistrées.

Le leasing social a donc été suspendu par décret du 12 février. Cette explosion de la demande menaçait de faire s’envoler l’enveloppe budgétaire allouée au verdissement du parc automobile : le bonus écologique, la prime à la conversion et le leasing représenteraient un investissement total de 1,5 milliard d’euros par an à partir de 2024. Le coût pour l’Etat de l’édition 2024 du leasing social s’élève à 650 Mln d’euros. Le gouvernement procédera à des évolutions des autres aides pour maintenir la même enveloppe budgétaire.

Fort de ce succès, le gouvernement prépare la deuxième vague du leasing électrique prévue pour 2025. 

L'articolo Mobilité électrique: le succès du dispositif de «leasing social» en France proviene da The Watcher Post.