No industry, no tanks: EU bets on more clean steel to secure its future
Saving and greening European steel mills is now a key part of the EUโs defence strategy.
Employment
Farage and Tories spy an opening as small businesses turn on Labour
The government’s rivals are circling after tax hikes burned the bridges that Rachel Reeves had painstakingly built before the election.
War and joint bonds forge a more united Europe
Trump and Russia are pushing the EU toward a “Hamiltonian moment,” where common debt helps build greater federalism. ย ย
The EU Directive on Women on Corporate Boards: Steering Out of the Limitations and Leveraging Opportunities
Dr Joy A. Debski, Lecturer in Law, School of Law and Social Sciences, Robert
Gordon University
Photo credit: Andrรฉ Corboz, via Wikimedia
Commons
Synoptic Data Inquiry and
Understanding the Directive
Although women
constitute about 51%…
Freeze on PIP disability benefit likely to be dropped after Labour backlash
The planned freeze prompted anger among MPs when it was leaked โ and is now likely to be dropped, two people with knowledge of the proposals tell POLITICO.
The depopulation of Ukraine
The war is exacerbating a demographics decline that had already started well before Putin ordered his troops across the border
Building a skilled Europe, balancing competitiveness and fairness [Advocacy Lab Content]
This special report explores the ‘Union of Skills’, the challenges and opportunities of strengthening Europeโs competitiveness while maintaining social fairness.
Competitive workforce needed, but EU failing with critical skills, says Mรฎnzatu ย [Advocacy Lab Content]
One in three EU teenagers is failing in basic math, and 25%, are failing in science. Europe is facing a ‘declining pathway’ in basic skills.
Foreigners required to pass language test with new French immigration law
With a new immigration law in France, foreigners will now be required to pass a language exam if they wish to remain in the country. Tens of thousands will be affected by this decree, and could even risk being kicked out of the country if they do not …
Press release – MEPs call for a more competitive EU that respects social and labour standards
On Wednesday, MEPs adopted two resolutions outlining their priorities for the next cycle of economic and social coordination between member states.Committee on Economic and Monetary AffairsCommittee on Employment and Social Affairs Source : ยฉ European …
Employment committee to push for AI in the workplace law
The Committee is โworking hard to push the Commission to propose legislation,โ Committee Chair Li Andersson told Euractiv.
Press release – Parliament calls for a strong and standalone Fund to combat social exclusion
On Tuesday, Parliament called for more resources for the European Social Fund Plus post-2027 to better support the EUโs social dimension.Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Source : ยฉ European Union, 2025 – EP
โIf you fall into the dialogue of the far right, the far right winsโ: Spainโs deputy PM on the need for workersโ rights
Yolanda Dรญaz Pรฉrezโs leftwing government has championed employment reform similar to Labourโs proposals โ and she tells British business there is nothing to fearSpainโs leftwing deputy prime minister, Yolanda Dรญaz Pรฉrez, has a message for Labour politi…
The Union of Skills is Born: From First Steps to Great Strides
Labour shortages in Europe are worsening. The European Commission’s “Union of Skills” proposal is a good start, but innovative solutions are needed. The private employment services sector emphasizes the importance of skilling and advocates for collabor…
PMQs: Badenoch wins by playing nice with Starmer on Ukraine
There was widespread agreement between the two leaders on supporting Ukraine โ but the Tory leader challenged the PM on what he’ll actually do to bridge Europe and Washington.
Futuristic fields, how robotics and automation are slowly revolutionising agricultureย [Advocacy Lab Content]
Robo-farmers are set to have a field day, just as soon as data rights and algorithms plough a straight furrow.
Transparency essential for developing trustworthy AI, says Gรผrtler [Advocacy Lab Content]
As Europe pursues innovation and competitiveness in AI, should AI be structured around human rights and sustainability; and does AIโs employment impact matter? Paula Gรผrtler deploys a moral compass.
Musk says all federal employees need to explain their work immediately โ or be let go
Federal employees received an email Saturday afternoon, and gave them a deadline of Monday night.
Judge lets Trump administration proceed with mass recall of USAID workers overseas
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said initial claims that agency staffers and their families could be in physical danger proved to be โoverstated.โ
Whoโs in charge of DOGE? Not Elon Musk, White House says
A Trump administration personnel official says Musk has โno actual or formal authority to make government decisions.โ
Press release – MPs and MEPs meet to discuss economic, budgetary, and social concerns
The annual European Parliamentary Week will take place on Monday and Tuesday, bringing MEPs together with MPs from member states and EU candidate countries.Committee on Economic and Monetary AffairsCommittee on Employment and Social Affairs Source : ยฉ …
Germanyโs labor market โ long the envy of Europe โ is losing its shine
For the first time in a decade, the number of unemployed is closing in on 3 million โ and there’s more to come.
Catalan separatists slam โchaosโ in Sรกnchezโs coalition after ministerial clash
Employment minister blasts finance chief for taxing minimum wage earners.
Franceโs great AI hope sees opportunity in Chinaโs chatbot success
Mistral AI co-founder says China’s artificial intelligence breakthrough offers inspiration for Europe in the global AI race.
The menace of deindustrialization in the EU โ and what we can do about it
Policymaking is not accountancy: in the medium and long term, the EU will be better off keeping factories within its borders.
The Future of Temporary Protection in Tรผrkiye: Return of Syrians after the Fall of Assad
Dr. Ayลe Dicle
Ergin, Assistant
Professor, Bilkent University Faculty of Law
Photo credit: Henry
Ridgwell, Voice of America news, via Wikimedia
Commons
As of today, the vast majority of
approximately 2.8
million Syrians in Tรผr…
Inside USAIDโs undoing
Aides to the president and Elon Musk suspected USAID officials were trying to go around a funding freeze.
Donald Trump says trade wars are easy to win. Are they?
The U.S. president’s tariff attack on Americaโs closest allies is unprecedented. Economists say they wonโt fix the U.S. trade deficit, restore jobs or raise much money. And people will get hurt.
Boosting EU demandย and a stronger euro would prevent trade war
With Trump imposing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, finding ways to avert a trade war between the U.S. and Europe must be a priority.
Press release – Polish Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities
Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council.Committee on Constitutional AffairsCommittee on Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentCommittee on Culture and Education…
PMQs: Starmer wins but Badenochโs getting more focused
Kemi Badenoch said the government’s employment plans harmed growth โ but the PM raised economic turmoil under the Tories.
Britainโs Rachel Reeves needs a growth miracle
A major speech Wednesday promises a host of pro-growth policies to turn the UK economy around. But the hurdles in the chancellorโs way are huge.
Orbรกnโs power to disrupt is exaggerated
The economic difficulties facing the Hungarian leader with will further undermine his ability to hijack โ let alone drive โ the EUโs agenda.
Trump claims victory in tariff and migration standoff with Colombia
Hours after threatening punitive tariffs, the White House said Colombia agreed to accept deported migrants and lifted the threat of new levies.
Labour needs to compromise on employment rights
Raising both UK payroll costs and worker protections is a deterrent to hiring
EUโs biggest secessionist movement is losing momentum
And Catalonia’s new President wants to shoot it dead.
Trump closes first day with an avalanche of executive orders
President Donald Trump bolted into his first day in office with an unprecedented show of executive force โ signing orders intended to end the right to citizenship by birth, force federal workers back to the office and grant Tik Tok a reprieve from a forced shutdown โ as he showcased his desire to circumvent Congress [โฆ]
Anatomy of a jobs promise
Eye-catching boosterism about employment from new projects does not always stand up to scrutiny
Ukraine is trying to get its refugees back from Germany
The war-ravaged country needs to boost its population to get back on its feet.
50 years supporting better policies for a strong social Europe
By providing specialized data and research, Eurofound has long contributed to a stronger, fairer Europe โ in todayโs climate, its mission has never been more essential
Champagneโs sordid secret: the homeless and hungry migrants picking grapes for Franceโs luxury winemakers
Exclusive: Guardian investigation finds an underpaid, underfed workforce, some of whom are forced to sleep on the streets, exploited by a system of labour providersPhotographs by Valentina Camu/Divergence for the GuardianA Guardian investigation has fo…
The Roma workforce: Solving Europeโs employment crisisย
Europe faces a looming worker shortage. Investing in the Roma community should be part of the solution.
Press release – Parliament paves way for the use of EU funds to finance natural disaster recovery
Two new EU laws will offer quick EU funding for recovery measures following natural disasters that have occurred after 1 January 2024.Committee on Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentCommittee on Employment and Social AffairsCommittee on Regional Developm…
The Bundesbank says 2025 spells big trouble for German economy
Even the labor market is a problem now, central bank warns.
Economists need to get their story straight on immigration
Focusing on the impact on the wages or employment levels of native workers is too narrow
The Councilโs position on proposed EU law on migrant smuggling: cynical political theatre?
Professor Steve Peers, Royal Holloway University of
London
Photo credit: Ggia,
via Wikimedia Commons
Introduction
Member Statesโ ministers (the EU
Council) are likely to agree a negotiating position this week on replacement of
existing EU law …
Commission plays careers counsellor for defence industry staff
The EU’s plans to ramp up defence production require the sector to become “a more attractive employer”, the Commission says.
The post Commission plays careers counsellor for defence industry staff appeared first on Euractiv.
Swedenโs Social Democrats struggle in traditional blue-collar heartlands
Like other socialist parties in Europe, Sweden’s center left has lost ground to the far right. Itโs hoping to turn that around.
Keir Starmerโs reset, rated
POLITICO rates the prime minister’s six new “milestones” as he tries to drive change โ and turn the polls around.
To sustain social cohesion, Hungary must invest in its human capital [Advocacy Lab Content]
Only 12.3 per cent of Hungarian women are employed when their youngest child is aged 0-2, compared to an OECD average of 37.9 per cent. The gender pay gap is 15.5 per cent. Change is coming.
Hereโs the real story of the Irish election: beneath the appearance of calm lies a storm | Fintan O’Toole
Ireland has, in effect, full employment, an expanded workforce and a booming economy. So why is it such a nation in flux?The best description of Irelandโs political landscape after Fridayโs general election might be: strangely familiar. The familiar bi…
Belgiumโs sex workers win maternity pay and pension rights in world first
Move by lawmakers hailed as โhuge step forwardโ, ending legal discrimination against sex workersBelgian sex workers have gained the right to sick days, maternity pay and pension rights under the first law of its kind in the world.Lawmakers voted in May…
European Commission downsizes spokesperson team
Number of spokespeople will drop from 17 to 14, according to a list of names seen by POLITICO.
Press release – European Parliament spotlights disability rights
Taking place from 2-6 December, Disability Rights Week will advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and for their voices to be heard.Committee on Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentCommittee on Culture and EducationCommittee on Employment an…
Who were the biggest dunces? Final grades for von der Leyenโs first Commission
Whoโs at the top of the class and who flunked? Here are POLITICO’s grades for each 2019-2024 European commissioner.
The paradox of Italyโs industrial strategy
For all the talk of revitalizing and greening Europe, company owners in Italy are being allowed to relocate their businesses abroad rather than modernize and adjust at home.
Commission urges gradual spending cuts to dodge austerity repeat
The EU’s outgoing commissioner Gentiloni encourages reforms and investments to keep growth alive.
Press release – Hearing of Vice-President-designate Roxana Mรฎnzatu
The members of two committees questioned Roxana Mรฎnzatu, Romanian candidate for Vice-President for the People, Skills and Preparedness portfolio on Tuesday afternoon.Committee on Culture and EducationCommittee on Employment and Social Affairs Source : …
Press release – Hearing of Commissioner-designate Dan Jรธrgensen
On Tuesday, the Industry, Research and Energy and Employment and Social Affairs committees questioned Dan Jรธrgensen, Danish candidate for the Energy and Housing portfolio.Committee on Employment and Social AffairsCommittee on Industry, Research and Ene…
UK budget: 7 things to watch for as Labour hikes taxes
From splashing the cash to going for growth, here’s how Britain’s first female chancellor wants to run the economy.
Press release – Employment and Social Affairs committee mission to Poland
A delegation of Parliamentโs Employment and Social Affairs committee will visit Poland on 28 and 29 October.Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
PMQs: Love wins as Angela Rayner and Oliver Dowden pal around
The outgoing deputy leader of the opposition pressed Rayner on the economy โ but it was his self-depreciating comments that got MPs on side.
As possible Trump return looms, EUโs Lagarde urges US to avoid trade wars
Fears are growing that a victorious Trump will deploy the tariff weapon, just as he did against the EU and China in his first term.
Who could be in Kamala Harrisโ Cabinet? Here are the leading contenders.
If Kamala Harris wins the election, she will likely approach the task of filling out her Cabinet and West Wing much like she did when she took over Joe Bidenโs campaign operation this summer. While sheโll ensure her closest advisers and key Cabinet members are people she personally trusts, there will be some continuity with [โฆ]
The future is bright for beer โ given the right policy framework
Beer plays an important role in Europeโs economy, but excise burdens, production costs and the post-Covid environment are putting pressure on the sectorโs ability to act as a motor for the whole economy.
Paris backs โฌ15B sale of paracetamol-maker to US fund after winning guarantees
French public investment bank to buy shares in Sanofi subsidiary amid American takeover.
US investigating leak of classified documents on Israelโs attack plans: Reports
The documents, marked top secret, describe satellite images of Israeli preparations for a potential strike on Iran, according to media reports.ย
The great switcheroo: How France overtook Italy as the EUโs No. 1 budgetary basket caseย
As Paris blows its long-earned fiscal credibility, Rome has started to look respectable in the eyes of the EU’s fiscal cops.
Unemployed people could be given weight-loss drugs to return to work in UK
A study will assess changes in employment status and sick days when people take the drug.
Harris is flagging with Latinos. Sheโs trying to win them over on the economy and the border.
During a town hall set to air on Univision, the vice president emphasized a โhumane pathway to earned citizenship for hardworking people.โ
The British government proposes ‘the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation’
The highly ambitious Employment Rights Bill aims to restore rights and stability to employees after 25 years of casualization of work in the UK.
Hereโs what Kamala Harris must do to seal the deal
The vice president can prevail in a tight race if she takes these tough steps to prove to skeptics that sheโs committed to bipartisan government.
Ireland is awash with cash but needs an infrastructure vision
Country struggling to catch up on needs of its expanding population amid near full employment
PMQs: Keir Starmer wins despite all the drama
The PM was probed on his economic promises โ and managed to largely escape unscathed.
On the streets of Vienna, I saw Austriansโ rage at the march of the far right โ but also their helplessness | Owen Jones
Events in Austria are alarming. Because there and elsewhere, progressives hold up their hands and ask: what can we do?Last Thursday, on a cool Vienna night, anti-fascist protesters thronged through the pretty boulevards of Austriaโs capital. The far ri…
Is this the end of footballโs transfer system? An immediate reaction to the Courtโs ruling in Diarra (C-650/22).
Stephen Weatherill, Somerville
College and Faculty of Law, Oxford University
Photo credit: Addesolen, via Wikimedia Commons
Introduction
โIs this the end of footballโs
transfer system?โ So shrieked the media in December 1995 wh…
The EU should rethink work beyond competitiveness
In both the Draghi report and von der Leyen’s mission letter to Roxana Mรฎnzatu there is a strong focus on promoting productivity, competitiveness and, ultimately, economic growth – the โholy grailโ of every economy. But if this is really our only under…
EU betting on India and Vietnam for chips
Looking to be less dependent on China and Taiwan, the West is keen to have alternative suppliers and are pushing at an open door with New Delhi and Hanoi.
People living with disabilities in the EU: The battle for inclusion
One in four adults in the EU have a disability, according to Eurostat. That’s more than 100 million people. And while this summer’s Paralympics no doubt drew attention to the issue in a visible way, the daily struggles of so many people remain largely…
Cooling inflation opens door to October interest rate cut from ECB
Attention of policymakers is shifting from inflation to growth as unemployment starts to rear its head.
So long, no thanks to all the fash: review of Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter, by Kate Conger and Ryan Mac
Professor Steve Peers, Royal Holloway University of
London
Photo credit: mikemacmarketing, image via vpnsrus
Full disclosure first: After exactly
ten and a half years, I stopped posting on X (formerly Twitter) on August 10,
2024. I cou…
Apple mega-bucks give Ireland a โฌ14 billion dilemma
More billions are on the way from the tech giant as the Irish hoover up multinational taxes at a breakneck pace โ but struggle to build what this booming nation needs.
โAll must be beheadedโ: Revelations of atrocities at French energy giantโs African stronghold
Mozambican soldiers operating out of TotalEnergies’ natural gas plant abducted, raped and killed dozens of civilians.
French PM Barnier unveils new government, putting budget and EU affairs under his purview
The Cabinet is the โmost right-wing’ in more than a decade.
Portuguese bank chief: ECB may need to accelerate interest rate cuts
ECB President Christine Lagarde had hinted last week that there would be no further action until December.
Germanyโs rude economic awakeningย
After a spate of bad news involving giants like Volkswagen and Intel, the mood in Germany has turned gloomy.
Panic on the canals: How a battle over wages in Venice highlights the complex reality overlooked by policymakers
An escalating standoff between workers and employers in Venice over an expired contract has exposed the volatile reality behind the data that informs Europeโs economic decision-making.
Trump got back on track with the border. Then he started talking about the dogs (and geese).
His Arizona rally comes two days after Vice President Kamala Harris derailed from the issue at the presidential debate.
Europeโs far-right parties are anti-worker โ the evidence clearly proves it | Cas Mudde and Gabriela Greilinger
We analysed the voting patterns of far-right groups on eight issues including pay and tax. Their rhetoric is hollowIn the US and Europe, the far right is often portrayed as the defender of the working class, the representative of โforgottenโ people or …
Swiss city councillor apologises for firing gun at Mary and Jesus poster
Party expulsion proceedings have been launched against the councillor, and her employment at a consultancy has also been terminated.
Greek PM Mitsotakis announces pension boosts and wage hike in 2024 economic plan
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined his economic agenda at the Thessaloniki International Fair, focusing on wage growth, employment, and climate challenges.
An โearthquakeโ at Volkswagen โ and a crisis for Germany?
The company is seen as crucial not just to local but national wellbeing โ and never before have its workers been threatened in their own homeland like thisโEarthquake at Volkswagenโ ran the stark headline in the Wolfsburger Nachrichten, the newspaper s…
The Metsola exception: The European Parliament president and her lobbyist husband
The chamberโs new conflict-of-interest rules donโt apply to its most powerful member.
What Kamala Harris Should Learn From Richard Nixon
Try not to wreck the economy.
How Trump could make good on his universal tariff threat
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act gives the president sweeping authority to control economic transactions.
UK rail minister got engineer sacked for raising safety concerns
Peter Hendy threatened to withhold public contracts while seeking disciplinary action.
Steve Hilton, the British ex-Fox News host, wants to run for California governor
Hilton has supported Trump, but heโs also leaned into his own brand of โpositive populism.โ
Privacy group fights European Parliament over โmassiveโ HR data breach
Employees’ ID cards, birth certificates and medical records were compromised in the breach.
Inflation is easing. Now, Harris has an even bigger problem with the economy.
Fissures are forming in the economy just as the Fedโs long-running fight against inflation looks to be nearing its conclusion.
Teen murder-for-hire gangs in Denmark are Swedenโs responsibility, says minister
Danish politicians are worried about teenage Swedish contract killers hired to commit crimes in Denmark.