News
BackAs of 1st July, Sweden has taken over the die EU Council Presidency. After Czechia’s presidency has been called a “complete failure” in Brussels, Sweden is even more in demand to show that it is up to Europe’s future challenges.
Economic crisis and unemployment are the top themes
The Swedish Presidency will no doubt be dominated by the consequences of the economic crisis and rising unemployment. Not to be forgotten are of course climate change, energy efficiency, energy supply and the Lisbon Strategy after 2010 to name but a few of the top subjects. What makes it even more difficult for Sweden is the fact that the European Parliament has to reform after the elections, that the Commission’s term in office expires at the end of October and that the uncertainty regarding the future of the Lisbon Treaty resonates. The decision on the Lisbon Treaty will be taken during the first weeks in October when the last deciding referendum is held in Ireland. Only then the decision will be made as to when the Commission will be appointed and who will be its representatives. If, however, the Irish population votes against the Treaty, thereby putting a spoke in the EU’s wheels, then a long and difficult identity crisis of the EU is pre-programmed.
Social policy remains a scare commodity in spite of economic crisis
One could call it normal that initiatives in the area of social and employment policy would be expected in particular in times of the worst economic crisis, which Europe and the rest of the world are currently experiencing. But neither the Commission nor the Swedish Presidency is forthcoming. The only thing on offer is the continuation of following up ongoing dossiers. These include among others the Maternity Protection, the Parental Leave and the Self-Employed Directive as well as the Regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of self security systems in respect of third country nationals. Some of the legal recommendations, such as the Anti-Discrimination Directive, which the Czechs just ignored over the past 6 months, will also be taken up again. The Swedish Presidency plans to decide on just 5 legislative proposals during their term in office. It can also be expected that some of the planned initiatives of the Commission will be postponed until a later date as it is highly unlikely that the current Commission will take any decisions now. The Swedish Minister of Employment Sven-Otto Littorin emphasised in one of his statements on the future Presidency that it would be vital to strengthen the employability of the individual and to take on the demographic challenges of the future. A wish that although having been expressed permanently should at last filled with life.
The Swedes have 6 months including the summer recess
For some, 6 months might be a long time, the Swedes, however, will have to make a superior effort to put their plans through during this period. Whether they will find a “magic formula”, which would enable them to solve the current problems remains to be seen. The motto of the Swedish Presidency - “Taking on the Challenge” - is perhaps the right motto indeed and probably in two respects - concerning the economic crisis on the one hand and with regard to making up the last 6 months of stagnation on the other. With this in mind the only thing we can do is to wish Sweden all the best for the next 6 months, which end on December 31st, 2009.
Further information:
Homepage of the Swedish Presidency
The Swedish Presidency will no doubt be dominated by the consequences of the economic crisis and rising unemployment. Not to be forgotten are of course climate change, energy efficiency, energy supply and the Lisbon Strategy after 2010 to name but a few of the top subjects. What makes it even more difficult for Sweden is the fact that the European Parliament has to reform after the elections, that the Commission’s term in office expires at the end of October and that the uncertainty regarding the future of the Lisbon Treaty resonates. The decision on the Lisbon Treaty will be taken during the first weeks in October when the last deciding referendum is held in Ireland. Only then the decision will be made as to when the Commission will be appointed and who will be its representatives. If, however, the Irish population votes against the Treaty, thereby putting a spoke in the EU’s wheels, then a long and difficult identity crisis of the EU is pre-programmed.
Social policy remains a scare commodity in spite of economic crisis
One could call it normal that initiatives in the area of social and employment policy would be expected in particular in times of the worst economic crisis, which Europe and the rest of the world are currently experiencing. But neither the Commission nor the Swedish Presidency is forthcoming. The only thing on offer is the continuation of following up ongoing dossiers. These include among others the Maternity Protection, the Parental Leave and the Self-Employed Directive as well as the Regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of self security systems in respect of third country nationals. Some of the legal recommendations, such as the Anti-Discrimination Directive, which the Czechs just ignored over the past 6 months, will also be taken up again. The Swedish Presidency plans to decide on just 5 legislative proposals during their term in office. It can also be expected that some of the planned initiatives of the Commission will be postponed until a later date as it is highly unlikely that the current Commission will take any decisions now. The Swedish Minister of Employment Sven-Otto Littorin emphasised in one of his statements on the future Presidency that it would be vital to strengthen the employability of the individual and to take on the demographic challenges of the future. A wish that although having been expressed permanently should at last filled with life.
The Swedes have 6 months including the summer recess
For some, 6 months might be a long time, the Swedes, however, will have to make a superior effort to put their plans through during this period. Whether they will find a “magic formula”, which would enable them to solve the current problems remains to be seen. The motto of the Swedish Presidency - “Taking on the Challenge” - is perhaps the right motto indeed and probably in two respects - concerning the economic crisis on the one hand and with regard to making up the last 6 months of stagnation on the other. With this in mind the only thing we can do is to wish Sweden all the best for the next 6 months, which end on December 31st, 2009.
Further information:
Homepage of the Swedish Presidency