Towards More Sustainable European (economic) Integration: The Role of Social Rights

The debate on the sustainability of the European model(s) is becoming increasingly urgent. The multidimensional crisis that has been felt across the world since 2007 has revealed a deep need to raise awareness of the important social dimension of European integration. The economic and financial crisis, followed by a social crisis, a “crisis of solidarity”, is still affecting some Member States in the euro area. Despite efforts towards recovery, the levels of social protection have been gradually declining. The impact of the refugee crisis needs to be considered.

The European Commission, driven by its President, Jean-Claude Juncker, has embarked on the development of a “European pillar of social rights”. Social rights are therefore returning to centre stage as part of a deeper, fairer Economic and Monetary Union. Against this backdrop, there is a need to consider how these rights can serve the new European economic governance and, ultimately, the sustainability of European integration as a whole.

Drawing largely on national and European case law, our analysis will aim to provide a critical assessment of how the crisis and austerity measures have affected the protection of fundamental social rights in the euro area. The initiative for a “European pillar of social rights” will be then examined in the broader context of proposals for more complementarity between the protection systems established at national, European and international level. The paper will argue that the continued success and the sustainability of the European project largely depends on a renewed emphasis on its social dimension.