CEC European Managers Engages in High-Level Talks at the Council of the European Union
On Monday, March 17, 2025, CEC European Managers met with Mari Linnapuomi, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries, Social Affairs, and Health within the Employment and Social Policy Directorate-General (LIFE.4) at the Council of the European Union
Maxime Legrand, President of CEC European Managers; Silvia Pugi, Deputy Secretary General; Olga Molina, Director; and Pere Vilanova, Communication Officer, represented European leaders and managers at the meeting.
The discussion took place in the context of the engagement between recognised social partners (CEC European Managers, Eurocadres, ETUC, SGI Europe, BusinessEurope, and SMEUnited) and EU decision-makers to discuss key social policy matters, including the format and effectiveness of the Tripartite Social Summits.
The Role of the Council of the European Union
The Council of the EU, also referred to simply as the Council, plays a fundamental role in the European legislative process. It comprises government ministers from each EU member state who convene to discuss, amend, and adopt laws while coordinating policies. Together with the European Parliament, it functions as one of the primary decision-making institutions of the EU.
Key functions of the Council include negotiating and adopting EU laws based on proposals from the European Commission, coordinating policies among EU member states, developing the EU’s foreign and security policy in alignment with European Council guidelines, concluding agreements between the EU and other international entities and adopting the EU budget jointly with the European Parliament.
The Council’s presidency rotates every six months among EU member states. Poland currently holds the presidency, with Denmark set to assume the role in the second half of the year.
You can read here the main priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council [+]
The Meeting with CEC European Managers
During the meeting, Ms. Linnapuomi provided insights into the work of the Directorate-General she leads. This group consists of 15 members and focuses on employment and social policy, both legislative and non-legislative aspects, such as Council conclusions and recommendations.
President Maxime Legrand emphasized the CEC’s unique role as the only recognised social partner representing solely managers.
With a membership of one million leaders across Europe—including non-EU countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, and Montenegro—CEC European Managers brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
Maxime Legrand
President of CEC European Managers
Legrand highlighted the organisation’s commitment to core themes such as digitalisation, sustainability, equality, inclusion, and innovation as key drivers of European competitiveness.
He also reaffirmed that CEC European Managers operates as an apolitical organization with the European values at the heart of its mission.
Advocacy for Artificial Intelligence Policy
A significant topic of discussion was managers’ positions on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Legrand advocated for the AI Liability Directive, recently withdrawn by the European Parliament and Commission, stressing that managers require support in AI implementation while also considering ethical implications.
He urged employers to engage more in social dialogue regarding AI, emphasizing that transparency in algorithmic decision-making is crucial for fostering trust and competitiveness.
Additionally, he called for stronger EU data protection measures through the establishment of an EU Data Cloud and opposed employee surveillance and emotional monitoring.
Insights on Sustainability and Social Dialogue
Deputy Secretary General Silvia Pugi pointed out the increasing collaboration among managers across Europe, particularly in the startup sector, reiterated that “leaders and managers are pro-European.”
She also raised concerns from the automotive sector, where managers call for a well-structured transition toward sustainability with clear regulatory guidelines. Legrand echoed this sentiment, advocating for pragmatic solutions that balance reduced regulation with enhanced social dialogue.
CEC European Managers recently participated in COP29 as part of its sustainability initiatives, promoting youth engagement in sustainable leadership through its member organisation Lederne. Legrand cited a key takeaway from CEC‘s Danish colleagues: “We should stop speaking about the youth and start speaking with the youth.”
Finally, the campaign #BeyondBias was also well received by representatives of the EU institution, as gender equality and inclusion remain high on member states’ agendas.
Strengthening the Tripartite Social Summits
CEC European Managers expressed its willingness to deepen engagement in the EU’s social dialogue framework. For that, CEC supportss more continuity between Tripartite Social Summits, reinforcing the role of social partners in shaping European labor and employment policies.
The Council of the European Union meeting reinforced CEC European Managers’ role as a key stakeholder in European social policy. By continuing to bring managerial perspectives to the EU decision-making process, the organisation remains committed to fostering a competitive, innovative, and inclusive Europe.
