Social Europe: waking up again or heading for a long lethargy?

Despite polling particularly well in large EU Member States (Germany, France, Italy, Poland) and in Austria, the far-right parties have not achieved domination in the European Parliament, meaning that the current alliance between the EPP conservatives, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the Renew centrist-liberals can look ahead to establishing a new coalition with an absolute majority. This majority might reappoint the European Commission’s current President, Ursula von der Leyen. So, is nothing about to change? The European trade union movement is concerned by the large number of votes gained by the far-right parties, with which it is engaged in a constant battle, pointing out that these parties systematically vote against workers’ interests. The movement believes that there cannot be “business as usual”, nor any discussions aimed at forming an alliance between conservatives, liberals and the far right. These results “make clear that business as usual cannot continue”, said ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch. “Europe needs to urgently resolve the economic and social insecurity that lies behind growing anger and fear in our society” (see press release). The IndustriAll Europe trade union federation is calling on democrats to “work together to deliver what Europe needs to tackle the challenges of our times: investment, cohesion and solidarity” (see press release). It wants to see a just transition, as does the European Transport Workers’ Federation, which is calling for greater investment in public services and public transport (see press release). On the other hand, none of the three employers’ European organisations have yet issued a press release. This impression of stability should not however mask the fact that the recent progress made by social Europe will be hard to reproduce: 1/ Parliament, which is by nature fairly progressive, has emerged with a more conservative profile, and the far right has a greater influence; 2/ in light of the national results, the Council too, is likely to see a strengthening of government coalitions made up of far-right parties or even led by the far right, which will make it even less progressive. Social Europe can still rely on a number of MEPs, such as Dennis Radtke (EPP), who know how to push the boundaries, but he will no longer be able to count on the support of his colleague Agnes Jongerius (S&D) who did not stand this time. Jacques Delors, the emblematic Commission President and father of Social Europe, said: “If the European Union is to work, it will need competition to boost it, solidarity to unify it and cooperation to strengthen it.” However, we are currently losing the latter two of these three driving forces.