Economic and Social Councils in the Wake of the Economic and Financial Crisis. The Cases of Spain, Greece and Italy

In this article, Fernando Montoya analyzes the current European economic and financial crisis, particularly the cases of Spain, Greece and Italy; the substantial background to the crisis, the areas that have been gravely affected, and the actions of the economic and social councils of Spain, Greece and Italy in response to this situation. First of all, he describes the nature of the economic and social councils, their composition and their history; he continues by looking back at the political and economic contexts of Spain, Greece and Italy during the crisis, before looking at the actions simultaneously undertaken by the different social and economic sectors represented in these countries economic councils. In his conclusion, the author stresses that the role of the economic and social councils has been crucial in the instigation of a new social pact and in cooperative actions to alleviate the economic and financial crisis in their respective countries and the Eurozone, and ensures that the actions of the advisory bodies is transversal to the role exercised by the international community and public institutions, making their presence essential in strengthening social cohesion