New Commission: what social ambitions for the EU?

In April, European leaders signed the La Hulpe Declaration, committing to continue implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, which includes 20 rights that all Europeans should enjoy and has been the compass for EU social action since 2017. In this context, the President of the European Commission announced that she would present a new Social Action Plan in 2025, following on from the one adopted in Porto in 2021.

Despite this stated ambition, many are now concerned that the EU’s social action will be eroded in the coming years, particularly as the new Commission has half as many members from the social-democratic family as the previous one. Furthermore, the abolition of the Employment and Social Affairs portfolio, which had existed since the 1970s, caused consternation in Brussels last week, as expressed by the European Trade Union Confederation. Social issues will be handled by Romanian Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, who will be in charge of ‘People, Skills and Preparedness’. Although employment and social rights are part of her portfolio, the title sends a rather worrying political signal.

Skills and preparedness

President Von der Leyen has chosen to prioritise the issue of strengthening human capital through education and lifelong learning in the social portfolio. In the face of ongoing transitions, particularly green and digital, the issue of skills development is indeed important. As Jacques Delors said, ‘lifelong learning is the catalyst for a changing society’. Above all, this is to ensure that no one is left behind and that everyone can benefit from the transitions. But it is also to ensure that businesses have the skills they need to make these transitions a success, given that currently around 75% of European businesses report recruitment difficulties.

A cross-cutting social dimension

However, this issue must not overshadow other equally important issues, such as ensuring quality jobs, well-being at work, the protection of social rights, gender equality, quality public services and the fight against poverty. The Commission has emphasised its desire to see social issues taken into account in the various portfolios. In addition to the initiatives led by the Romanian Vice-President – such as a first European anti-poverty strategy, a roadmap for quality jobs and a new pact for European social dialogue – other social initiatives will be led by other commissioners. These include a just transition for the Executive Vice-President in charge of the green transition, the “right to remain” – as proposed by Enrico Letta in his report on the single market – for the Commissioner for Cohesion, and a European Plan for Affordable Housing for the Commissioner for Housing.

These initiatives are welcome, but care must be taken to ensure that the argument of cross-cutting issues does not lead to a watering down of social ambition. If the EU has made significant progress on social issues since 2019, it is largely because there was an active and determined Commissioner, Nicolas Schmit, to drive this ambition forward. Roxana Mînzatu must have the determination, political support and resources to honour the European commitment to achieve a ‘Europe that cares, prepares and protects’.