The European Social Dimension and Dissensus over Liberal Democracy

This chapter aims to explore how dissensus over the European Union has been strengthened by the inability of the EU law to comply with growing inequalities, especially during the financial and sovereign debt crisis. From a legal standpoint, the EU social acquis remains ancillary to the unintended consequences of market freedom. Despite that, from 2015 onwards the EU institutions attempted to cope with dissensus by starting a new course of social policy, further strengthened with measures taken to alleviate the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the political commitment of the EU, with the European Parliament and the Commission at the forefront, led to the adoption of many legislative measures. Among them, this chapter will consider the Minimum Wage Directive, since it better represents the desire of the EU to implement social policy as well as to respond to dissensus, despite the limits set by treaties.