New directive will discourage voters

For the left-wing newspaper die tageszeitung, the new working time directive will endanger next year's European Parliament elections. "Slovenia wanted to achieve a compromise at all costs regarding the working time directive and temporary agency workers. This would have added shine to its EU presidency and put next year's European elections in a good light. ... But Europe currently lacks the basis for a common social policy. While the UK and most new member states are convinced that workers' flexibility creates growth that benefits all, most people in countries like Belgium and France believe that workers' rights must be protected. For that reason, discussion on common minimum labour law standards should be postponed until the 27 old and new EU members can more or less agree on what a social market economy should look like. Hopefully by that time there will still be people willing to vote."

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