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Politics

Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on political issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.

Portugal’s Political Earthquake: Centrist Grip Crumbles, Right Ascends

Emanuel Ferreira

A seismic shift in Portugal's 2025 elections reflects a broader Western trend: the erosion of centrist dominance and the rise of populist forces.

Britain’s COVID Generation: Why Social Democracy Must Seize the Moment

Jatinder Hayre

COVID spotlighted inequality. Europe must act—or lose a generation to austerity’s long shadow and policy neglect.

Trump’s ‘Golden Era’ Fades as European Allies Face Harsh New Reality

Ferenc Németh and Peter Kreko

Once optimistic, key European leaders who backed Donald Trump now face stinging tariffs and a new, uncompromising Washington.

Ending Britain’s “Brief Encounter” with Brexit

Stefan Stern

A romantic Brexit reset? UK and EU edge closer to ending their brief but painful post-referendum encounter.

The Future of American Soft Power

Joseph S. Nye

Soft power helped America lead the world. Trump’s wrecking ball diplomacy risks handing that role to China.

Europe Day with New Dimensions

László Andor and Udo Bullmann

Transatlantic Tensions Demand A New Geoeconomic Strategy For Europe.

Funding the Future: Why the EU Needs a Bold New Budget

Carla Tavares

As the current long-term budget nears its end, the European Parliament is laying down its demands for a more ambitious financial framework to tackle mounting challenges.

The European Union’s Road to Abundance

Elizabeth Kuiper and Pietro Valetto

Why Europe must embrace an “abundance agenda” to deliver results, restore trust, and counter rising populism.

How Sweden’s Welfare Experiment Became a Warning to Europe

Lisa Pelling

Sweden pioneered welfare privatisation, and its controversial model is now being exported across the continent.

The Shadow of Unfreedom: A New Authoritarianism Grips the Globe

Robert Misik

A harsh, right-wing authoritarianism is rising, casting a shadow of unfreedom as classic conservatism fades.

To Counter Populism and Bolster Security, Europe Must Reinvest In Its Citizens

Catherine De Vries

Facing security threats and rising populism, Europe needs state investment in citizens, not austerity that fuelled discontent.

The End of Certainty: A New Geopolitical Era Begins in 2025

Nicolas Schmit, Hans Eichel, Jesus Caldera, Stewart Wood, Stefan Collignon, Damon Silvers and Hugo Zsolt de Sousa

Europe must redefine its global role.

A Day to Remember: Why May 8th Should Be a Belgian Holiday

Ellen de Soete

May 8th deserves to be a Belgian public holiday.

The Empire Strikes Back, and Europe is Confused

Jan Zielonka

Amid a world of resurgent imperial powers, a fragmented Europe grapples with its past and uncertain future.

Gaza’s Descent Into Catastrophe Tests Europe’s Conscience

Josep Borell

As Gaza endures unprecedented horror, Europe cannot longer stay inactive.

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Is Europe’s mental health still in crisis?

New Eurofound research reveals a complex picture of mental health in Europe post-pandemic. While some factors show improvement, concerning trends persist, including an alarming halt to the decades-long decline in suicide rates. A new episode of the Eurofound Talks podcast explores these issues, highlighting that vulnerable groups are being disproportionately affected. It also discusses how significant barriers to mental healthcare—such as stigma and long waiting lists—are leaving many without vital support.
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Spring Issues

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Despite growing awareness of its impact on all our lives, mental health has yet to gain the momentum it deserves in EU policymaking. The latest EU budget and Commission mandate still fall short on policy work on mental health that reflects progressive values - including gender mainstreaming.
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WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the European Minimum Wage Directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage.

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Cohesion Policy

S&D Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027: a resilient future for European territorial equity

Cohesion Policy seeks to foster balanced development and reduce economic, social, and territorial disparities, focusing on rural areas, regions in industrial transition, and those with severe or permanent natural or demographic disadvantages, including outermost, sparsely populated, island, cross-border, and mountain regions.

READ THE PAPER HERE

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Cohesion Policy


In a context of growing direct employee voice in workplace innovation processes, the BroadVoice project explored how worker representatives and industrial relations can play a role in these dynamics. Based on a two-year study in 24 workplaces across six European countries, this comparative report, edited by Vassil Kirov (IPS-BAS) and Ilaria Armaroli (ADAPT), highlights the evolving contours of workplace democracy shaped by the involvement of worker representation in employee-driven innovation.

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HESA Magazine Cover

Back to school with HesaMag 30: the leading European magazine on occupational safety and health explores teachers’ deteriorating working conditions. With field reporting, expert voices and trade union analysis, plus insights into EU policy shifts, discover why teachers’ health is key to our future.

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