Foreword - European paradox: is the EU running to stand still?

In the following we briefly introduce the two sides of the puzzle, the many institutional innovations at the European level (through Treaty revisions, new governance of economic and social policies and the reinforcement of the Stability and Growth pact; and the economic stalemate we experienced last year. We then propose, in line with many commentators, a critical reading of the EU strategy to exit the crisis and defend the Eurozone. We look at the main tensions still in need for solution, and the growing political tensions that are the result of the persistent legitimacy gap of the EU, and ethe growing distance between European policymakers and the labour movement.