By the EESC's Workers’ Group 

There is a tendency to excessively label some happenings as defining moments and events of the century, leading to the overuse of this expression. However, as the new European Commission is about to be formed, we happen to be in one of those defining moments: the far right is on the rise and discontent is spreading throughout the continent, the war in Ukraine rages on and the Gaza war risks becoming an open regional war. 

The die has not yet been cast on the other side of the Atlantic, but the increasing tariffs and the growing trade war with China are still there, which are bound to result in subsequent shocks to supply chains and consumer prices that will ultimately be felt by the population.

Meanwhile, in the spring, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU agreed on new austerity rules for the EU, and 'frugal' EU Member States continue to block additional own resources or borrowing options. The EU is facing growing climate pressure, social unrest, extremism and fascism, the discrediting of democracy and rising authoritarianism, which – together with the threat of nuclear annihilation and open war on its borders – should give the EU leaders a little push to abandon their short-sightedness and internal fights. Any policy that ignores (or simply pays lip service to) inequality and justice is bound to fail. Citizens are tired of hearing copycat well-sounding speeches and words, only to find themselves increasingly in dire straits and struggling to make ends meet, only to see their jobs disappear and their income plummet. Far right populism is taking advantage of all this, avoiding fundamental questions by putting the blame on immigrants.

Without social justice there will be no stability and no reliable partners in any of the Member States. And without it, the unity needed to tackle what the EU is facing will not be there. Let's make social progress the unifying force behind this new EU legislative term.