The EESC is calling for a stronger role for the social partners and civil society in shaping national reforms through the European Semester. In an information report and resolution adopted at its June plenary, the EESC proposes a European code for structured consultations and mandatory assessments of partnership practices to improve transparency, participation and democratic legitimacy. 

Based on consultations involving stakeholders from all 27 Member States, the EESC report found broad support for the 2025 country-specific recommendations but highlights persistent implementation gaps, insufficient stakeholder involvement and an imbalance between economic priorities and social objectives. 'We reiterate our call for the establishment of a European code setting out how to conduct consultations within the framework of the European Semester,' said rapporteur Gonçalo Lobo Xavier. Rapporteur Andrea Mone stressed that stronger government action is needed to improve the design, implementation and evaluation of reforms, while rapporteur Luca Jahier said that closer links between the European Semester and the next EU budget should preserve 'flexibility, multilevel governance and national ownership' and rely on positive incentives rather than punitive conditionality. The EESC also supports closer links between the European Semester and the next EU long-term budget, provided safeguards protect subsidiarity, national ownership and democratic accountability. It advocates positive incentives to support reforms rather than punitive conditionality, arguing that stronger partnerships with the social partners and civil society are essential for more effective policy-making. More here.