ESU Resolution on Protecting Public and Postal Services in Rural Europe Adopted by the EPP Political Assembly

The European Seniors’ Union (ESU) warmly welcomes the adoption by the EPP Political Assembly of 8–9 December 2025 of the resolution entitled “Protecting Universal Public and Postal Services in Rural Europe”, which was formally tabled by the ESU.

This important political initiative follows strong and determined interventions by ESU members during our conference in Ciudad Real in November 2024, where the consequences of declining public services in rural and peripheral regions were clearly highlighted—particularly for older citizens and vulnerable groups.

Key messages of the resolution

The resolution reaffirms the EPP’s commitment to rural vitality, territorial cohesion, and equal access to essential services, stressing that mobility and digitalisation alone are not sufficient if fundamental public services are withdrawn.

In particular, it underlines that postal services, social services, banking and other services of general interest are not merely economic activities, but essential lifelines—especially for elderly people, citizens with limited digital access, and small businesses in rural areas.

Against the backdrop of the European Commission’s preparation of a new EU Delivery Act, the resolution strongly warns against any weakening of the Universal Service Obligation (USO). It calls for:

• Clear, ambitious and binding minimum standards for letter and parcel delivery across the EU
• A firm rejection of reduced service frequency or quality, especially in rural and remote regions
• Fair and sustainable financing mechanisms, ensuring all market operators contribute and preventing “cherry-picking” of profitable routes
• Strong regulation to protect employment, social standards and fair competition in the delivery sector

A strong ESU contribution to EPP policy

The resolution reiterates that essential public and postal services are indispensable pillars of social and territorial cohesion and must remain physically accessible and reliable. It also stresses that safeguarding these services is vital to counter depopulation, maintain public trust, and ensure that rural Europe remains attractive for families, young people and older citizens alike.

By adopting this resolution, the EPP has clearly acknowledged the concerns raised by the ESU and social partners, and committed itself to ensuring that the upcoming EU Delivery Act strengthens fairness, solidarity and equal opportunities across all European regions.

The European Seniors’ Union is proud to have played a leading role in shaping this outcome and will continue to advocate for policies that ensure no citizen is left behind—regardless of where they live.