EU seeks to show it cares with new social policy

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BRUSSELS (AFP) — Habitually accused of being too detached from the day-to-day concerns of its citizens, the EU will this week present a flurry of "social" proposals, a chance to show it's on the people's side.

Stunned by Irish voters' recent rejection of the EU reforming Lisbon Treaty, and a year ahead of European parliamentary elections, Brussels through its "Renewed Social Agenda" will be showing its caring, protecting, relevant side.

"Can there be any better area than social policy to move us forward?" French employment minister Xavier Bertrand asked European parliamentarians recently.

Social policy may not be the number one priority for the French EU presidency which will start on July 1 -- with the Lisbon hangover to sort out.

Paris will...