2024/01/01 by Torben Fischer, Jana Windwehr · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Social Policy and Reform Studies
paper · doi:10.5771/0720-5120-2024-4-313
openalex publication_date 2024/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
In this article, we provide a systematic overview of developments in European social policy under the first von der Leyen Commission (vdL Commission). We analyse the developments in the areas of regulatory, distributive and coordinative social policy of the European Union (EU). Building on this, we examine the role of the vdL Commission as a social policy actor by analysing its ability to formulate and implement innovative policies. The analysis shows that the vdL Commission was able to set accents in all areas that have further strengthened the revitalisation of Social Europe begun under the Juncker Commission, with the result of reducing, but not eliminating, the institutional asymmetry between economic and social integration. The vdL Commission proved to be a central actor, albeit supported by a specific political constellation in the COVID-19 pandemic, socially committed Council presidencies and close coordination with European trade union actors.