[FR] Politisation of the Union: the case of the Services Directive

The Services Directive is undoubtedly one of the most hotly debated pieces of EU legislation. Positions on the directive have been the subject of conflict between European political actors: from trade union demonstrations in Brussels to negotiations in the Council – which saw supporters of advanced liberalisation clash with those concerned about preserving the European social model – and tensions between the Commission and the European Parliament. While this debate has highlighted the growing politicisation of the European institutions by revealing a political confrontation that can be summarised as a left-right divide, the divisions within the EU remain more complex and the decision-making process is largely consensual.