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FEPS Newsletter 20 May 2026 – ✊ Social rights: Europe’s greatest strength

Deregulation will only make Europe poorer – If you have problems displaying this email, follow […]
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20/05/2026
Deregulation will only make Europe poorer –

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Social Europe

Today, everything is about competitiveness and deregulation, threatening the pride of the European Union: its social model. But those pushing for deregulation are guided by the interests of big businesses and forget that competitiveness is nothing without social protection, quality jobs and public services. With a fifth of the EU population at risk of poverty or exclusion, let’s stop trying to sell deregulation and put social rights back at the heart of the EU.
Social Europe is our target
 

📅  19 JUNE

📍 PORTO, PORTUGAL

UPCOMING EVENT

Social Europe is our target
 

Five years after the adoption of the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), it is time to revive the spirit of Porto. Join us in Porto 🇵🇹 or online!

ARTICLE

Competitiveness is nothing without social rights
 

By Former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS Secretary General) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (FEPS’ Bureau). 
Competitiveness is nothing without social rights

Photo credits: Shutterstock/Stella Salander

This article was published in several languages by numerous media outlets: Publico, La Repubblica, Népszava, Tageblatt, Social Europe and Portfolio. 
The fight against poverty is a fight for human rights

Photo credits: Shutterstock / Emvat Mosakovskis

DOSSIER

The fight against poverty is a fight for human rights
 

Will the EU eradicate poverty? Poverty is about people’s rights and the upcoming anti-poverty strategy must tackle it as more than an economic issue. 📚 Read more.
Events

Upcoming event

See full schedule
A progressive strategy for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean
 

📅  30 MAY

📍 NICOSIA, CYPRUS

A progressive strategy for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean

Call to Europe Cyprus
 

 Taking place in the context of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this new edition of FEPS’ flagship event Call to Europe will discuss key issues shaping the Mediterranean region and the European Union’s approach to the region. Register here.

Past events

See all past events

9 MAY – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

FEPS at Europe Day in the European Parliament
 

Let’s put the U in Europe! Thank you to everyone who came to our stand at the European Parliament to learn more about FEPS.
 

We believe democracy thrives when people have access to knowledge. Making research truly accessible, even on the most complex topics, is at the heart of everything we do.
Europe Day
Accelerating industrial decarbonisation

23 APRIL – FEPS HQ

Accelerating industrial decarbonisation

By FEPS, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
 

This expert seminar brought together a small community of experts from diverse backgrounds, including the European Parliament, CAN Europe, WWF, Agora Industrie, CoR, and more. They discussed key takeaways from FEPS’ upcoming policy study on technological neutrality in the context of decarbonisation, as well as the Industrial Accelerator Act.
Publications

POLICY STUDY

Place-based industrial policy

Places, people and power in European industrial policy

By Theo Cox, Frederick Harry Pitts, Ed Atkins and Gerard Rinse Oosterwijk – In collaboration with Progress
 

This policy study argues for an industrial strategy that balances national and supranational economic competitiveness and security while supporting democratic legitimacy and regional benefits. The authors draw on four case studies to present a framework for reconciling industrial policy with a broader project of local renewal and placemaking. 
 
Place-based industrial policy
News
Progressive solutions for mental health and wellbeing in Europe
 

Progressive solutions for mental health and wellbeing in Europe
 

We presented the recommendations from our recent policy brief “Healthy minds, stronger Europe“ to the Intergroup on Mental Health of the European Parliament, co-chaired by MEP Alex Agius Saliba, in Strasbourg.
 

We call on for a comprehensive EU mental health strategy, ensuring coordination among policies in the field of health, employment and digitalisation. 
Survey for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Organisations in Europe
 

What is the impact of funding cuts for gender equality across Europe?
 

Across Europe and beyond, civic space is shrinking, democratic norms are eroding, and funding cuts are placing heavier burdens on the communities and movements defending hard-won rights and advancing gender equality.
 

If you are part of an organisation working for women’s rights and gender equality, take ODI Europe’s survey.
Progressive Post

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

The race for the most impossible job in the world

By Georgios Kostakos, co-founder and executive director of the Foundation for Global Governance and Sustainability (FOGGS)
The race for the most impossible job in the world

With António Guterres’ term as UN Secretary-General drawing to a close on 31 December 2026, the race to choose his successor begins. Georgios Kostakos examines the candidates, the high stakes of the selection process and what the outcome could mean for the future of the UN. Read more.

Photo credits:  Shutterstock.com/Peter Serocki
 

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Јавање на огнениот коњ

by Racin 19/05/2026
"Riding the Fiery Horse" Read the analysis by László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, on the implications of Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Ue, la competitività non è nulla senza i diritti sociali

by La Repubblica 06/05/2026
"In the EU, competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in La Repubblica, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer and that only social sovereignty will make it stronger.

A competitividade não é nada sem direitos sociais

by Publico 06/05/2026
"Competitiveness is nothing without social rights." Writing for Público, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen), and Anna Diamantopoúlou (FEPS Bureau) argue that competitiveness is hollow without social rights. They caution European leaders that a path of deregulation will only lead to widespread poverty, asserting instead that "social sovereignty" is the true key to a stronger Europe.

Andor László: Átváltozó Európa

by Portfolio 06/05/2026
"László Andor: Europe in Transformation" In this article published in Portfolio, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer. They argue that as the continent faces a "stalled" German economy and shifting global dynamics, only social sovereignty and a renewed social contract can truly make the Union stronger.