The interim forecast for the economic growth in the EU for the year 2009, which was introduced this Monday by Commissioner Joaquín Almunia in Brussels, drew attention to a surprisingly positive outlook. For the first time in a year, the overall forecast for 2009 did not have to be subsequently adjusted downwards. In “lean times such as this” such a statement is enough to be hailed as a success story. The prospects for the labour market and the emerging high national debt, however, are breathing down the Commissioner’s neck.

At the beginning of July, the European Commission unveiled a new micro-finance instrument. Micro credits will be granted to help job seekers and small entrepreneurs who want to set up their own business. Initial reactions to the proposal of the Commission were rather mixed. In particular the objective - does the instrument predominantly serve to help the banks or the people? - has been put into question.

For the first time, the European Commission presented in the Council Working Party on Social Questions the framework agreement on parental leave, which has been agreed by the European social partners. The discussions will now begin behind closed doors. It has, however, emerged from informed circles that the negotiations are more difficult than originally expected.

This week, a first exchange of views on the controversial Commission proposal on EU Consumer Rights took place in the European Parliament. If the Commission had its way, the 27 different national regulations on consumer protection should be replaced by a uniform EU Consumer Right.

The self-employed lorry driver as superman who never gets tired. This is obviously the idea of the Commission, when dealing with the Working Time Directive in the road transport sector. Although the European Parliament had already rejected the Directive Proposal in May, the Commission continues to stick to its plan to exempt self-employed drivers from the Working Time Directive.

With 12 messages to the future new Commission, the Brussels think tank Bruegel lets everybody sit up and take notice. The Commission only had a political future if it would improve its performance in the next period.

The Swedish Presidency focuses on coordination. The intention was to coordinate the EU Position before the meeting of the G20 finance ministers at the weekend in London. Result: strong words concerning manager salaries and bonuses, more money for the IMF, no details about the future regulation of the financial markets.

After the new elections to the European Parliament, the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee resumed its work again this week. It will play a central role in democratically coping with the causes and consequences of the financial and economic crisis. The only spoke in the wheel: Conservatives and Liberals have a clear majority and don’t want any of the strict regulations after the elections.

The Employment Committee of the European Parliament this week introduced a study on the impact of new forms of labour on industrial relations and the evolution of the Labour Law in the European Union. The study examined so-called “non-standard contracts” in all 27 Member States and their impact on the labour markets.

First estimates for the economic developments in the second quarter 2009 indicate that the bottom of the crisis has probably almost been reached. The labour market situation, however, is still rather gloomy.