The debate on the EU's new multiannual financial framework frequently centres on spending. However, the EU Commission also presented proposals for new own resources to finance the EU budget. In fact, calls for new own resources have been heard for some time, but have so far largely fallen on deaf ears. The aim would also be to ease the burden on Member States, as the majority of the budget is financed through their national contributions. Overall, financing must also be socially fair.

With a resolution passed by a large majority on 20 January 2026, the EU Parliament has taken a stance on a Just Transition Directive. A central element of the resolution is the introduction of the right to training during working hours – a demand that has also been raised by AK. The aim is to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they need for the jobs of the future. It is now up to the EU Commission to present a corresponding legislative act.

The Brussels offices of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB EU Office) and the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) hosted the event “Made in Europe” – Opportunities and Challenges for the Single Market.

A singular emphasis on competitiveness and market liberalisation has historically exerted pressure on social and environmental standards; moreover, recent geopolitical crises and disruptions have exposed the limitations of EU trade policy. Werner Raza and Bernhard Tröster's recent policy brief suggests that trade policy should be strategically refocused, emphasizing a more inward-looking approach while still aiming to maintain cooperative international trade relationships.

During a conference organised by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in Brussels in early December, the revised European Works Councils (EWC) Directive was praised as a major victory for workers throughout Europe. The amendment to the Directive adopted in November, significantly revises the involvement of European Works Councils. This could lead to a significant strengthening of workers' rights, simplifying the establishment and better involvement of EWCs. The Directive is required to be transposed into national law within a period of two years.

An EU Commissioner for Housing, a special committee in the EU Parliament, Council meetings, statements from the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, various housing policy conferences: The issue of housing has been raised to the European level, with the EU institutions currently shaping important framework conditions for addressing the housing crisis. The EU Commission is set to present an affordable housing plan in mid-December 2025.

The Autumn Package within the framework of the EU Semester sets the course for employment, social, economic and fiscal policy in the following year. In 2026, increasing competitiveness will be the top priority, along with a budget policy focused on consolidation. New additions include a document on human capital and a stronger link between the EU Semester and the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework.

One of the Commission's most important initiatives in the field of housing is the revision of state aid rules. In order to create legal certainty for public welfare-oriented housing, a sectoral exemption in EU state aid law is necessary. In October 2025, the Commission presented a draft revision of the Decision of 20 December 2011 (2012/21/EU).

Since the beginning of the year, high-level dialogue forums at various levels have been discussing the future of the European automotive industry. As a result of intensive exchanges with the industry, the EU Commission announced, among other things, that it would review the controversial combustion engine ban from 2035 as early as this year – which is one year ahead of schedule. The CO2 emission targets for 2025 had already been relaxed. The industry is calling ever more vehemently for greater flexibility and is supported in this by politicians.

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.