While the European Union and Member States are strengthening their defence capabilities, concerns are growing over the social implications of increased security spending. This should not come at the expense of social expenditure, emphasized Claes-Mikael Ståhl in an AK EUROPA interview. Instead, security spending should be tied to social conditionalities, trade unions should be involved in decision-making, and a broad understanding of security should be developed.

In light of the geopolitical and global economic upheavals, the EU is increasingly focusing on the issues of sovereignty and economic security. A revision of the rules on foreign direct investment screening was recently approved. In addition, the Industrial Accelerator Act proposed by the Commission sets out conditions for foreign investment in certain sectors. AK welcomes these developments but sees scope for further improvement.

The European Commission’s proposal for the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) aims to significantly strengthen industrial resilience in strategic sectors of the EU whilst continuing on the path towards decarbonisation. In order to reduce dependence on third countries and safeguard competitiveness, the manufacturing sector's share of GDP is to be increased to 20% by 2035.

After a prolonged delay, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’ (IAA) on 4 March 2026. The proposed legislation is designed specifically to boost demand for low-carbon technologies and for products manufactured in Europe. The aim is to ensure resilient supply chains in strategic sectors, strengthen European industry and safeguard jobs in the EU. Although an effective industrial policy strategy is long overdue, AK warns that the social dimension is being sidelined.

As geopolitical tensions rise, the European Union and Member States are taking steps towards strengthening their defence. Alongside other important questions, this also raises concerns about trade-offs between defence spending and other areas, such as social spending, at both EU and national levels. AK EUROPA spoke with Claes-Mikael Ståhl, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), about current EU defence policy from a workers’ perspective.

With its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, the European Commission launched the important yet controversial debate on the EU budget in mid-2025. The focus is on increased investment in competitiveness, security and defence. However, the European Parliament considers the draft to be insufficiently ambitious and is calling for a larger budget. In particular, the planned consolidation of funding programmes and cuts in traditional policy areas have met with criticism.

China is rapidly driving forward developments in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. Within this framework, the government's development initiatives emphasize strategic planning, targeted assistance, and systematic execution. Against this backdrop, AK EUROPA hosted an evening lecture on 15 April 2026 on the topic of ‘Humanoid robotics and brain-computer interfaces in the economy and the world of work – China’s role and policy’. This offered a glimpse into a possible future marked by major changes.

Since the new Middle East conflict and the Hormuz Strait blockade, fossil fuel prices in the EU have surged. The EU Commission is now responding with the ‘AccelerateEU’ initiative. Alongside short-term measures, the focus is once again on accelerating the energy transition.

the Brussels Office of the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) cordially invited to an Evening Talk on the topic:

“Humanoid Robotics and Brain-Computer Interfaces in the Economy and the World of Work. China’s Role and Policy”

On 10 December 2025, the European Commission presented the European Grids Package. The package includes proposals to improve the governance of cross-border energy infrastructure planning, speed up permitting procedures and ensure more effective mechanisms to share the costs and benefits of cross-border projects.