Europe and its social realities
The inglorious end to the French government’s attempts to reform labor relations affecting that nation’s young people raises some extremely serious issues, particularly considering the intense protests by millions of citizens and widespread social unrest that was sparked by this initiative. Despite this, European leaders have declared their intention to push through structural changes to the economy so that the European Union will be better equipped to perform within an increasingly competitive world economic environment. This is a vital issue as it pertains to the very image and profile of Europe on the global stage, where massive changes are currently under way. But European governments are handling the prospect of change in a clumsy, timid and politically shallow way. As a result, large social groups in certain European countries have adopted a negative stance and have been moved to protest. The rejection of the establishment of a European Constitution by voters in France and the Netherlands last year (and the indefinite postponement of scheduled referendums on the subject in other EU states eager to avoid a similar outcome), the ongoing tension in the German labor sector and the acute crisis in France all indicate the existence of a general European-wide sense of dissatisfaction. European citizens have refused to disclaim the foundations of the welfare state, at least up until now, and strongly oppose its abolition. Leaders of the 25 EU states cannot overlook this political reality. It is their duty to plan and implement a policy that will combine – to as great an extent as possible – the needs of the European economy in today’s extremely competitive international environment with the promotion of required changes using political innovations, thus creating a much-needed network of social support for the poorer social strata.
