Originally published on the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) website.
In a repeat of the previous legislature, the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put forward a proposal for a Commission without any direct reference to social rights. At the time, thanks to the intervention of the Progressives at the European Parliament, Commissioner Nicolas Schmit finally got a mandate that included the protection and expansion of social rights, and which allowed him to become a champion of Social Europe, delivering successfully on implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights.
A Commission that explicitly bypasses its mandate to advance Social Rights is not only an insult to the remarkable achievements of the last mandate under Commissioner Schmit, but also a dangerously short-sighted vision for Europe’s future—as if defence and competitiveness alone could ensure the well-being of our people.
Such disregard is also a direct insult to the direction set by EU leaders through the European Pillar of Social Rights, reaffirmed at the Porto Summit and the La Hulpe Declaration, which clearly outlined the path toward a fairer, more inclusive Europe.
The future of the European social agenda appears in danger. FEPS, in collaboration with Social Platform, Solidar, AK Europa and the EPC, has launched a video series to reinforce the need to give centrality to social rights and the European Pillar of Social Rights in this legislature.
The video series “A Pillar for our Rights”, largely based on the policy study “The Social Pillar and the future of the EU Social Agenda”, points at safeguarding the role of the Social Pillar as a compass and counter-crisis narrative for our Union, and highlights the main reasons why social rights must remain on top of the EU agenda and what policies we would like the Union to bring forward in the near future.
These short clips emphasise how the EU, the EU social agenda and the focus on social rights is central to ensuring that no one is left behind in the face of evolving labour markets and environmental challenges.
Take a look at our Secretary General, Laura de Bonfils, talking about the role of equality in shaping Europe’s future:
Watch the entire video series listed below on FEPS’ YouTube channel
Just Transition by Mikael Leyi, SOLIDAR Secretary General
Quality Jobs by László Andor, Secretary General of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)
Employment Innovation by David Rinaldi, FEPS Director of Studies and Policy
Employment Quality by Judith Vorbach, Head of EU Office, Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA)
Equal Opportunities by Laura de Bonfils, Social Platform Secretary General
Policy Coherence and Preparedness to ensure policy coherence between economic and social policies, by Danielle Brady, European Policy Centre Senior Polcy Analyst
