As the EU aims at strengthening the competitivity of European companies, the functioning of the Single Market comes to the fore. Is a more assertive industrial policy compatible with free and fair competition? This question is studied in a volume focusing on the legal instruments that govern the EU’s internal market. (2020:1op)

With growing global competition and less respect for the rules-based world order, the EU’s lack of an industrial policy has become problematic. This mismatch calls for explicit EU competences in order to strengthen the competitiveness of European companies globally, writes Jörgen Hettne, Associate Professor in EU Law. (2020:1epa)

On 31 March 2017, the so-called Gambling License Inquiry was presented.

Through the Lisbon Treaty, the national parliaments were entrusted with the task of reviewing proposals of EU legislation in the light of the principle of subsidiarity, a task which in the special protocol on subsidiarity is called the Early Warning Mechanism. In this analysis the author argues that the review should be seen as a constitutional dialogue and not as a narrow legal control.

According to the Europe 2020 strategy, public authorities in the European Union should make better use of public procurement in support of general societal goals such as good environmental protection and social conditions. This analysis discusses the proposal from the European Commission on new procurement rules that will enhance strategic use of public procurement.

Sweden´s capacity to implement EU law in a swift and efficient way has varied through the years. A sizeable amount of the complaints and lawsuits against Sweden are indeed caused by delays and other shortcomings in implementing EU directives and regulations.

For quite some time now, the EU Member States have tried to mold the EU into a socially more acceptable form. This has largely remained big words and solemn declarations, but the Lisbon Treaty establishes the EU as a social market economy.

The impact of European law on the regional and local levels In the Member States is important. As local markets open up for competition, the scope of EU law is extended and competition and state aid rules become applicable.

When markets are liberalized and open for competition, the scope of EU law is widening simultaneously. Even though EU law permits considerations other than free competition, the member states must themselves use the space available.

The debate about a social Europe has lasted for a long time but led to modest results. The Lisbon Treaty states, for the first time, that the EU is a social market economy.