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As the incoming Finnish Presidency of the EU is about to start, calling for sustainability to become the common denominator for all EU action, I want to come back to the EU leaders’ Strategy 2019-2024 adopted last week, which lacks the vision to support this move.

EU leaders’ agenda for the next five years does not feed fears as much as the previous leaked version, which was riddled with negative terminology such as ‘upholding order’, ‘warfare’, and ‘criminal gangs’.  It includes small references to the principles of solidarity and responsibility regarding migration policies, and it highlights the need to build a social and climate-neutral Europe. All fine for our future, then?

On the one hand, EU leaders are promoting a Europe of values, putting forward a number of topics that Social Platform has been advocating for, including the creation of a Europe that leaves no one behind, implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, and engagement with civil society to deliver its objectives. On the other hand, leaders have committed to building a fortress Europe, have only referenced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in terms of external action, and continue to pursue a short-term growth agenda.

The two disparate visions for Europe set out, read like leaders are faced with two scenarios to choose from: a Europe that puts competitiveness and territorial integrity above all else, or one that prioritises social and environmental justice. That’s at the core of the democratic paradox of our times: our leaders appear to believe that these two visions can co-exist in a Strategic Agenda!

As a result, Europe will repeat its mistakes of the past; the social agenda seen as a means to serve economic growth and social protection acting as firefighter.

Promoting the second vision of Europe will continue to be a fight like David vs Goliath. If leaders’ prioritisation of an EU that leaves no one behind is to be given any weight, we count on them to prove their commitment and to engage with civil society organisations who defend the common good.

The good relationships that we have started to build with Finland ahead of their Presidency goes in the right direction and we look forward to shaping together a new, more inclusive governance approach in Europe. Any success to make sustainability the future EU common denominator will heavily depend on such steps taken to strengthen civil dialogue.