In Brussels, the dialogue 'Cooperatives Build a Better World' was organized by Servimedia at the headquarters of the publication Euractiv, with the collaboration of Bidafarma. Participants, including European Commission Executive Vice-President for Rights and Values, Demography and Democracy, Helena Dalli, president of Cepes Juan Antonio Pedreño, president of Cooperatives Europe Giuseppe Guerini, and Spanish MEPs Dolors Montserrat (PP) and Leire Pajín (PSOE), expressed a shared 'concern' over the loss of support for the social economy and cooperative sector in the European Commission's budget proposal for the 2028-2034 period. They highlighted that cooperatives play a crucial role in addressing Europe's strategic challenges, such as ensuring autonomy, fighting inequality, and preserving jobs during crises. Executive Vice-President Helena Dalli reminded that 2025 is the International Year of Cooperatives and stated it is an 'opportunity' to recognize their contribution to the economy and the preservation of democracy in member states. Representatives of the cooperative sector, including Bidafarma's president Antonio Mingorance, emphasized their significant role in the pharmaceutical industry, where cooperatives control 85% of distribution. Participants called for greater visibility for cooperatives and announced the start of the 'budget battle,' which must focus on three key axes: defense, competitiveness, and the fight against inequality to leave no one behind. Leire Pajín stated that socialists will 'fight on all fronts' for a budget that ensures a complete balance of security, defense, competitiveness, quality employment, and regional funds.
