From the first Barroso Commission in 2004, little or nothing has been achieved in terms of work/life reconciliation at the European level. Two major directives (the so-called Maternity leave directive, and the Working Time Directive) have been proposed for revision but have been blocked at the European Council for years. What are the reasons for this deadlock? This research will examine the hypothesis that this stalemate is due to a change in the power relationship between the interests of the main stakeholders.
In examining actors’ interests in a sociological perspective, this paper will attempt to go beyond the debate between cognitive and institutionalist approaches, which are the two main approaches generally used by political scientists authors to explain the evolution of reconciliation policies at the European level.
Rather than the potential changes of paradigms or the weight of institutions, the analysis will hence focus on the role of strategic actors – constrained by ideas, institutions and social interactions – in the complex European legislative process. It will investigate not only the role of feminists actors involved in a “velvet triangle”, but also that of all the other stakeholders: Trade unions (ETUC, CES), lobbies (Business Europe, EWL…), NGOs (Coface, MMM…), Supranational institutions (OCDE, ILO, NU), Experts, and institutional actors from the European Parliament, Commission and Council.
Based on semi-directive interviews and document analysis, it aims to determine the links and relationships between and among actors and institutions. It will also seek to shed light on the strategies used by all off them to influence the legislation. By confronting interviews and document analysis, it will bring the power relationships and their potential changes to light.
