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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.

Europe’s Defence Crisis: Why More Spending Alone Will Not Keep the Continent Safe

Andrea Napolitano and Danny Wagemans

The EU’s fragmented defence system, inefficiencies, and reliance on the US leave it dangerously unprepared.

The Coming Showdown in Trumpworld

Dani Rodrik

Trump’s elite backers—economic nationalists, Wall Street, and the techno-right—may soon fracture over conflicting agendas.

What has been the Cost of Ukraine’s War—And Who Pays?

Mario Pianta

Three years on, the war in Ukraine has reshaped economies, lives, and global politics. Can Europe afford the price?

Britain’s Choice: Europe or a Collapsing America

Paul Mason

As the USA withdraws from European security, Keir Starmer faces a defining moment: realign with Europe or cling to a fading alliance.

Europe’s Economic Future: Should It Follow America’s Lead or Forge Its Own Path?

Anders Wijkman

The Draghi report warns of stagnation, but does Europe need more growth—or a new economic vision?

Europe’s Last Chance: Unite or Fall Apart

Guido Montani

As global tensions rise, Europe faces a stark choice—build a defence force and reshape global finance or risk irrelevance.

Austerity Strikes Again: The Hidden Agenda Behind the Cuts

Mark Blyth

Austerity is back—driven by politics, not economics. From the UK to Argentina and the US, the stakes are high.

The End of the ‘West’ and Europe’s Future

Guillaume Duval

The West Is Over! What This Means for Europe.

How the Right Hijacked the Working Class for Culture Wars

Justus Seuferle

The alliance between reactionary forces and the working class is not built on shared economic interests but on a manufactured sense of cultural identity.

What Germany’s Election Means for the Western Left

Bartosz Rydlinski

Fear of being left behind economically and socially proved to be potent fuel for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland, which for the first time won more votes than the Social Democrats.

Europe’s Last Chance: Why the Union Must Reform or Face Ruin

Luca Fossati

Amid global autocrats and rising inequality, the European Union’s future hinges on structural reforms, ambitious investments and sustainability.

The EU Minimum Wage Directive: To Be or Not to Be?

Roland Erne

Court challenge to EU minimum wage directive exposes tensions between legal interpretation, political compromise and social policy.

How to Finance European Defence?

Andris Šuvajevs

Europe must balance rising defence needs with social spending, or risk political turmoil and far-right gains.

Europe Needs an Ambitious Clean Industrial Deal with a Strong Social Heart

Judith Kirton-Darling and Isabelle Barthès

Europe must act now to secure industrial jobs, ensure a Just Transition, and strengthen social conditions.

The Transatlantic Alliance Is Dying—What Comes Next for Europe?

Frank Hoffer

With US power in retreat, Europe must decide: unite, or face irrelevance in a dangerous world.

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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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