Internationale Politikanalyse International Policy Analysis Marius R. Busemeyer, Christian Kellermann, Alexander Petring& Andrej Stuchlík Overstretching Solidarity? Trade Unions’ National Perspectives on the European Economic and Social Model „ Trade unions conceive the current crisis of the EU as a chance to pro­mote a more socially balanced European Union. „ Economic and social objectives of trade unions touch upon all relevant fields of the European Economic and Social Model. „ However, regarding Europeanization, unions’ perceptions and reform options differ greatly across Europe, because to most unions the national level remains the basic terrain. „ National welfare structures help explain similar and different positions of trade unions in the EU. Competing interests sometimes seem to over­stretch trade unions’ solidarity. SEPTEMBER 2007