In July 2025, the European Commission presented its draft Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, which envisages far-reaching changes in Cohesion Policy. The existing structural funds – including the European Social Fund+ and the Just Transition Fund – are to be combined into a new ‘National and Regional Partnership Plan’ (NRPP), which may weaken social and regional development goals. Linking payments to the achievement of milestones and the connection to the EU Semester has, among other, also been met with sharp criticism.

While the focus at the beginning of the new EU legislative period is on competitiveness and defence, AK EUROPA presents a List of Demands for a better future for the EU from the perspective of workers and consumers. Their interests must not be neglected, especially in view of the current challenges, and attention must be paid to social justice right now.

On 21 October, the EU Commission presented its work programme for 2026. It builds on the political guidelines set out by the President of the EU Commission in summer 2024 and on her latest State of the Union address. The programme aims to find answers to current challenges such as threats to European security and democracy, geopolitical tensions, risks to industrial value creation and the climate crisis. Unlike the 2025 work programme, legislative proposals for a social Europe are also planned. 

To boost competitiveness, the EU has set a goal of reducing bureaucracy and reporting obligations, primarily to benefit businesses. This has increasingly evolved into a far-reaching deregulation agenda affecting numerous fields. Workers’ and consumers’ rights are increasingly coming under pressure. Through several omnibus packages, the EU is intervening in multiple legislative acts via fast-track procedures. However, the Omnibus I package was recently - at least for now - halted in the European Parliament, while further omnibus packages are already in preparation.

Besides the 27 national design rules, the EU Commission also intends to launch an optional EU-wide regulatory framework for companies, referred to as the 28th regime. While businesses promote the facilitation of Europe-wide activities and better access to risk capital, employees urgently caution against the erosion of important protection standards, for example in the areas of labour law or corporate co-determination. Hence it is vital that the interests of employees are taken into account.

In a recent dossier published by Social Europe, a group of industrial policy and innovation scholars analyse the current challenges facing EU industrial policy. They highlight the conceptual and practical shortcomings of the current approach to industrial policy and set out their vision for an EU industrial policy that is based on social inclusion and effective governance. To mark the publication of the dossier, AK EUROPA, in cooperation with the Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE), organised a large public event in Brussels on 15 September 2025.

On 10 September 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered the annual State of the European Union speech, whereby she focused on the topics of security, defence and competitiveness. Both, the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in Gaza were given extensive attention. Social policy issues such as the inflation crisis, the quality of jobs and strategies for combating poverty were mentioned, but relatively brief and without providing much detail.

With the Omnibus IV package, which was presented on 21 May 2025, the Commission aims to introduce a definition regarding small mid-cap companies. This is justified by the need to reduce the administrative burden on businesses. However, in concrete terms the proposals would, among others, result in massive erosion of data protection. Over the summer, the Commission conducted a consultation on the Omnibus IV Package, in which AK also participated.

At the beginning of July 2025, Denmark took over the EU Council Presidency from Poland. Since joining the EU in 1973, Denmark has now assumed this important role for the eighth time. In view of the ongoing crises, the tasks ahead are immense. Denmark is tackling them with the motto ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’. The strength of the EU lies not only in European unity and a solid economy, but also in stable democracies and socially balanced societies.

Today, we experience individualisation and personal optimisation, both at home and in the world of work. This has psychological and social consequences for us all. For example, many people in the EU are affected by loneliness. On 9 July 2025, an AK EUROPA event was held in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg with AK President Renate Anderl and MEP Evelyn Regner, during which challenges and possible solutions were discussed.