Mano ferma nel guanto di velluto: l’uso del soft law nell’Unione Europea di «Next Generation»

The article analyzes the use of soft law instruments by the European Union. Soft law instruments, not covered by the Treaties, have been employed to achieve financial, economic, and social objectives during the health emergency. The objective of the study is to answer a question: does the soft law produced during the pandemic align with existing trends or does it represent a phenomenon with exceptional characteristics? Three case studies have been selected to reflect on how European institutions have used soft law. Through soft law, the European Commission has adopted the Temporary Framework for State Aid and activated the Stability and Growth Pact's safeguard clause. Additionally, the Commission has contributed to constructing the legal framework for Next Generation. Soft law has a low degree of legal force but a high level of politicization. Soft law acts, despite being instruments with lower legal effectiveness, express a community power of political direction derived from the authority of the European institutions that issue them, such as the European Council and the European Commission. However, it is necessary to highlight the absence of the European Parliament in the decision-making process concerning soft law. In conclusion, some proposed solutions have been put forward, which involve a greater valorization of the instruments provided by the regulation of the European Parliament.