City leaders bring local realities to Strasbourg

Europe’s city leaders are calling for a stronger role in shaping the continent's future, emphasizing the need for direct investment to address priorities such as housing and climate resilience. During a two-day visit to Strasbourg, mayors and deputy mayors from the Eurocities Shadow Commission met with European Parliament members and Commissioners to discuss the upcoming seven-year EU budget and the integration of urban priorities into long-term political visions.

The discussions highlighted that local governments are responsible for implementing EU policies and therefore require a central role in their design. According to the Eurocities Pulse climate resilience survey, over 90% of European cities have or are developing a climate adaptation plan. Eider Inuntziaga Serna, Councillor of Bilbao City Council and Eurocities Shadow Commissioner for the Just Transition, noted that climate action remains the biggest priority for cities, a sentiment reflected in this year’s Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey.