Despite acknowledging that Ursula von der Leyen's speech contained 'interesting and positive' elements, Marta Temido told journalists in Strasbourg, France, that her address lacked topics that directly concern citizens.
Temido emphasized that healthcare is a priority and a competence in which the European Union plays a limited but still significant role, and this is one of the main concerns of Europeans. Therefore, in her opinion, more effort is needed, specifically to develop an agenda for the prevention and protection of Europeans regarding aspects such as alcohol, tobacco, and trans-fat consumption.
The former Minister of Health of Portugal (PS) noted that adherence to the European health agenda, adopted in the Union several years ago, has weakened amid other priorities.
Even despite the emergence of other crises, the issue of healthcare remains relevant. She added that Members of the European Parliament will consider on Thursday a report on measures that the EU can take in response to the healthcare labor crisis. Temido expressed hope that the Commission President, possessing sensitivity to these issues due to her experience and education, will not forget about this topic.
Furthermore, the deputy drew attention to the lack of a specific answer to a problem that is currently the main concern for many Portuguese and European people—the rising cost of living, especially housing costs.
Nevertheless, Marta Temido highly praised Ursula von der Leyen's recognition of the need to increase investments in the European Union, coordination to combat climate change, and progress in the protection of minors, expressed in the proposal to ban access to social networks for children under 13 and restrict personal accounts for youth under 15.