This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission approves €170 million Bulgarian aid for farmers; Recovery and Resilience Facility final payment requests submitted; Spain referred to Court over State liability; ESS ERIC statutes amended; Spain authorised to reduce excise duty on fuels.
September 28, 2026 to October 04, 2026
Commission approves €170 million Bulgarian aid for farmers; Recovery and Resilience Facility final payment requests submitted; Spain referred to Court over State liability; ESS ERIC statutes amended; Spain authorised to reduce excise duty on fuels.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On October 05, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On October 05, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: A tribute to Anna Politkovskaya 20 years after her assassination - The struggle for fundamental freedoms and against impunity in Russia; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
European Commission
Commission approves €170 million Bulgarian State aid for farmers facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices
On 1 October 2026, the European Commission approved a €170 million Bulgarian State aid scheme for farmers impacted by elevated fuel and fertiliser prices resulting from the Middle East crisis. The measure, notified by Bulgaria, will run until 31 December 2026 and provides direct grants with a maximum of €50,000 per company. The scheme was authorised under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted on 29 April 2026. The Commission found the aid necessary, appropriate, and proportionate under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and Sections 1 and 2.1 of METSAF. The support aims to temporarily assist companies in the primary production of agricultural products. The non-confidential version of the decision will be published under case number SA.124701 in the State aid register.
Member States submit final payment requests under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
As of 30 September 2026, all EU Member States submitted their final payment requests under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), concluding the implementation period that ended 31 August 2026. The requests cover the full €360 billion in grants and €213 billion in loans allocated under the RRF, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. The Commission is now assessing the requests based on evidence provided by Member States, with preliminary assessments expected by 20 November and payment decisions towards the end of December. All payments must be completed by 31 December 2026, in compliance with the RRF Regulation.
Commission refers Spain to the Court of Justice for failing to comply with EU rules on State liability
On 30 September 2026, the European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not implementing the judgment of 28 June 2022 in case C-278/20 concerning State liability for breaches of Union law by the legislature. The case originated from complaints regarding Spanish Laws 40/2015 and 39/2015, which were found by the Court to make it excessively difficult for individuals to obtain compensation for damages caused by breaches of EU law. Despite the Commission's reasoned opinion in January 2018 and a letter of formal notice in December 2025, Spain had not amended its legislation. The Commission now seeks further enforcement, including potential penalties.
Three in four EU employees faced cyber threats at work, new Eurobarometer finds
According to a Eurobarometer survey published on 29 September 2026, 75% of EU employees encountered suspicious emails, messages, or links at work in the preceding six months. The survey, conducted ahead of European Cybersecurity Month, found phishing to be the most common threat, with 39% of respondents affected. While 83% of employees recognise the seriousness of cyberattacks, only 48% said they could recognise AI-generated fake videos. The survey highlights gaps between awareness and daily practice and notes that only about half of organisations have essential cybersecurity measures in place. The findings come as the EU implements the NIS2 Directive, the Cybersecurity Act, and the Cyber Resilience Act.
Commission greenlights France's final payment request of €6.1 billion under NextGenerationEU
On 28 September 2026, the European Commission positively assessed France's final payment request of €6.1 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This request corresponds to the completion of all reforms and investments outlined in France's plan, totalling €40.3 billion. Key milestones include energy renovation of public buildings, occupational health and safety certification, and renovations of cultural heritage sites. The Commission has sent its preliminary assessment to the Economic and Financial Committee, with the payment to follow upon the Committee's opinion and a formal Commission decision.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2166 amends ESS ERIC statutes
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2166 of 29 September 2026 formally amends the statutes of the European Social Survey as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ESS ERIC). The amendment follows a proposal submitted by ESS ERIC on 9 October 2025 and an assessment by the Commission under Regulation (EC) No 723/2009. The Decision is addressed to 28 EU and associated states, including Norway, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2194 authorises Spain to apply reduced excise rates on motor fuels
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2194 of 22 September 2026 authorises Spain to temporarily apply reduced rates of excise duty on gas oil and unleaded petrol used as motor fuels, pursuant to Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC. The measure, responding to energy price shocks linked to the Middle East crisis, is valid until 30 September 2026 and allows reductions below minimum EU tax levels for specific fuels.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2180 appoints a member of the European Economic and Social Committee
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2180 of 22 September 2026 appoints Mr Pavlos Kalosinatos, Director of the Cyprus Labour Institute and member of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour Executive Council, as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee. His term runs until 20 September 2030.
EU Council
Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs) reviews migration and asylum pact
On 1 October 2026, Home Affairs ministers discussed enhanced cooperation with non-EU countries on readmission and reviewed the implementation of the EU migration and asylum pact.
Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice) debates Eurojust and civil society protection
On 2 October 2026, Justice ministers adopted conclusions on combating racism and hatred, debated a stronger mandate for Eurojust, and exchanged views on protecting civil society and journalists.
What We're Reading This Week
- One in eight cancer cases linked to preventable infections: New research reveals that preventable infections are responsible for approximately 12% of global cancer diagnoses.
- Eric Sadin: ‘AI reeks of death’: Eric Sadin warns that artificial intelligence threatens fundamental aspects of human existence and ethical values.
- Jahel Queralt, essayist: ‘Those who most criticize meritocracy are those who need it the least’: Jahel Queralt argues that critics of meritocracy often benefit from privilege, raising questions about fairness in social mobility.
