![]() While numbers of inner-EU mobility were traditionally low, they have been increasing in recent times. This experiment takes place in a political system with a manifest status-quo bias in its policymaking, backed by a high degree of judicialisation of decision-making, while facing increased politicisation and economic heterogeneity.ĭue to enlargement and economic crises that are fuelled by the uneven working of the Euro-regime, the differences among EU member states in economic development and welfare provision have increased and, therefore, also has the potential for welfare migration. Geddes and Hadj-Abdou describe it as ‘a radical experiment in open borders (…) uneasily coupled with a continued attachment in member states to social solidarity and cohesion associated with national welfare states’ (Geddes and Hadj-Abdou 2016: 222). In fact, the European Union is exceptional among all regional organisations in granting wide-ranging free movement rights among its member states, and this in a context where some of the member states have the most developed welfare states worldwide. While the British situation was unique, the potential of politicisation of free movement rights is evident. In the Brexit referendum, the issues of exempting recently settled EU citizens from social benefits or even limiting their settlement fared high. Since Eastern enlargement and particularly after Bulgaria and Romania reached full free movement rights in 2014, the potential of welfare migration is contentiously discussed. Yet, equal treatment and free movement itself have come under challenge. Over time, it has been extended to EU citizens more generally and infused with equal treatment rights. The free movement of workers is a cornerstone of European integration. ![]() Finally, it analyses the mechanisms that activate attitudinal polarisation on intra-EU migration and welfare. It includes the political economy of free movement as well as its outputs and outcomes in selected member states. The collection covers the new politics of EU cross-border welfare but also the structuring role of the European Court of Justice. The different contributions bring together the normative, legal and political developments and about-turns which dynamically square the circle of pan-European social solidarity. This collection explores the current dynamics, scope and limits of free movement and welfare equal treatment for EU citizens on the move. Whereas the relationship between the EU and the welfare state appeared largely reconciled before the grand enlargement of 2004, economic downturn and politicisation question the nexus anew. The European Union’s (EU) fundamental principles of free movement of persons and non-discrimination have long challenged the traditional closure of the welfare state.
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