The European Pillar of Social Rights: from promise to delivery –Introduction to the ‘European Social Union (ESU) public forum debate'

In an introduction to a public forum debate on the European Pillar of Social rights, organized by EuroVisions, I argue that we need an effective ‘roadmap for delivery’ of the Pillar of Social Rights, based on the complementarity of existing EU instruments and a well-considered selection of priority initiatives. An effective roadmap requires a good understanding of the Pillar’s rationale. The solemn proclamation of the Pillar in 2017 marks a point of no return: either it will be a recognisable success, or it will be a high-profile failure. Those of us who care about the social dimension of European politics, should now work on an interpretation of the Pillar that maximises its positive potential.