LA DIRECTIVA 2004/38/CE Y LA JURISPRUDENCIA DEL TJCE SOBRE EL DISFRUTE DE LAS PRESTACIONES SOCIALES: ¿FRENO AL AVANCE EN MATERIA SOCIAL O ADECUACIÓN A LOS INTERESES DE LOS ESTADOS?

Abstract

The aim of this contribution is to analyse the social model introduced by the Directive 2004/38/EC in the framework of the case-law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). This contribution is divided in two sections. The first section describes the model of social coordination unfolded in the framework of the European Union and the improvements made by the ECJ in this area after the introduction of the principle of European citizenship. In its second section, the article describes the social model settled by the Directive 2004/38/ EC and the changes that this model entails to the ECJ assertions. The article concludes that the Directive 2004/38/EC restricted the steps made by the ECJ towards the development of a social perspective of the European citizenship. The article also considers that the Directive 2004/38/EC fragments the principle of non-discrimination when applied to the non-economically active citizens and the access of the latter to social benefits.