EP elections – Leftist opposition DK unveils European pension plan

Promising the introduction of a European minimum pension and the protection of existing pension arrangements, the leftist opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) on Sunday unveiled its European Parliament election programme aimed at pensioners.

Presenting the plan at a press conference, Klára Dobrev, Democratic Coalition‘s top candidate, said that even the lowest pensions should reach the level needed to live a “normal, decent life”.

Additionally, both the inflation rate and wage growth should be incorporated into the formula for calculating payment increases, she said. In response to a question, she said that

according to DK’s calculations, the minimum pension should amount to around 70 percent of the minimum wage.

Dobrev called the effective nationalisation of private pension funds and the scrapping of service pensions and disability pensions “unlawful”.

On the topic of DK’s plan for a “European health-care minimum”, Dobrev said European citizens should be entitled to the same level of health care across the EU.