As part of the EU’s current deregulation agenda, there is a risk that efforts toward sustainable finance will be undermined. Financial market stability could also be jeopardized. Meanwhile, the financial lobby is pushing to lower key regulations, such as the capital requirements for banks. We spoke with Isabelle Buscke about these and other challenges.

Due to a shortage of affordable and sustainable housing, Europe is facing a housing crisis. Over the past ten years, rents in the EU have risen by more than 20 per cent on average, whilst residential property prices have increased by more than 60 per cent. In view of this precarious situation, the EU has taken action: shortly before Christmas, the Commission presented its plan for affordable housing, and in mid-March the final report of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis was adopted in plenary.

As announced, the European Commission has presented its proposal for the 28th regime. The aim of EU Inc. is to create a Europe-wide limited liability company form that will enable businesses to be set up within 48 hours, for less than 100 euros and without minimum capital requirements. From the standpoint of employees, the EU Inc. proposal has received considerable criticism, especially due to insufficient provisions for safeguarding workers and facilitating their involvement in organizational decision-making processes.

The health and care sectors will require more staff in the future, which means public spending will increase. However, these expenses should not be viewed only as a financial burden. As the sectors expand, they also generate important economic and social benefits. Therefore, when evaluating costs in health and care, their positive impact on society and the economy must also be considered.

The Savings and Investment Union aims to facilitate access to finance and promote investment. The digital euro is designed to serve as a digital counterpart to the current euro, providing an additional option alongside other digital payment solutions. We discussed these major EU projects with the new Secretary General of Finance Watch, Isabelle Buscke.

Europe faces a crossroads due to challenging geopolitics, weak investment, and supply insecurity. The debate on giving preference to European production aims to address these challenges and promote a more sustainable, autonomous and competitive European Single Market. Shortly before the European Commission was due to publish its long-awaited proposal on the Industrial Accelerator Act, the Austrian union PRO-GE and the European offices of ÖGB and AK hosted a public event on 12 February 2026 to discuss the potential of ‘Made in Europe’. The topic met with great interest.

The climate crisis, the digital revolution and growing geopolitical rivalries are forcing industrial policy powerfully onto the EU agenda. The current debate centres on whether the EU is pursuing a narrow, defensive industrial policy focused on competitiveness and security, which could result in the dilution of green and social objectives, or whether it will embrace a more forward-looking, mission-oriented and inclusive approach.

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.