The European Parliament approved three resolutions in relation to the European Commission’s Annual Growth Survey of the EU. According to MEPs, much more must be done this year to cut unemployment, thoroughly democratise EU economic governance and ensure that structural reforms foster growth.

The annual growth survey which aims to ensure that member states align their economic and budgetary plans with the EU Stability and Growth Pact and the Europe 2020 strategy, was approved by the European Parliament as well a set of resolution on the same topic. Recently, the Parliament Vice-president highlighted that national parliaments must play a much more active role in the European Semester.

The Commission's emphasis on austerity was hotly contested by many MEPs. One of the resolutions underlines the need to assess the likely short-term impact of austerity measures, especially in countries in recession. The text urges the Commission to adjust the impact of the multiplier effects of austerity measures on employment and social conditions, according to the IMF recent revisions. Two resolutions point out that the EU's new "six-pack" economic governance rules do allow for some flexibility to give EU countries breathing space in severe downturns.

The resolutions also list factors which Parliament believes should play a more prominent role in the Semester, such as the role of the EU budget in delivering growth and economic convergence, and how best to ensure that every player and step in the Semester is democratically accountable. Single market governance should also be made an integral part of the Semester, and MEPs stressed that the Commission should prepare an annual European Semester report on single market integration, including country-specific recommendations.