Speech by Commissioner Šuica at the Berlin Demography Days

Dear participants,

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for inviting me to address you today.

I am delighted at the theme of the 2025 edition of the Berlin Demography Days: Demography and Democracy.

The two indeed go hand in hand.

As you may know, I had the privilege to be in charge of exactly this portfolio in the previous European Commission.

And it is a pleasure to continue the Demography part alongside the Mediterranean portfolio – which also has a considerable demography component.

I am glad that I can continue to count on a vibrant research community across Europe.

Many of you are present today.

Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to the three winners of the European Demographer Award 2024: Éva Beaujouan, Cosmo Strozza, and Julia Hellstrand.

Demographic change, such as an ageing population, urbanisation, the depopulation of rural areas, or migration, can have a considerable impact on the functioning of democratic systems.

One example is housing.

Many economies rely on attracting international talent to help fill the labour shortage gaps they cannot fill domestically.

We must ensure that local residents - young people, families, and older people - can still afford housing.

At the same time, we must prevent discrimination in the access to housing for legal labour migrants.

Demographic trends can also affect the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

Wenn es der Politik nicht gelingt, die Herausforderungen nicht nur des demographischen Wandels zu meistern, kann das zu einer Gefahr für die Akzeptanz der Demokratie insgesamt werden.

Das belegen aktuelle Zahlen aus der Wahlforschung auch für Deutschland.

So, we need to make sure that we keep the trust of our citizens in the democratic system.

This is a joint responsibility for all levels of government.

At the European Commission, we have developed a Demography Toolbox with recommendations for policy measures.

We are now implementing it.

Reconciling family aspirations and paid work or healthy ageing, are just two examples.

And still this year, we will present an Affordable Housing Plan and a legal initiative on short-term rentals.

We are glad that many Member States already have measures in place related to demography – or are in the process of designing reforms.

I know they will count on the support of the experts gathered today in Berlin as they are doing this.

Responding to the challenges of demography can help revitalise democracy.

I am grateful for your expertise and dedication in this undertaking.

Ich wünsche Ihnen allen eine erkenntnisreiche und inspirierende Diskussion.