‘Pay’ no mind to the AG's three fallacies: A commentary on the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive judgment

Abstract

This commentary analyses the landmark case on the validity of the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages delivered by the Court of Justice of the EU in November 2025. It finds that the Court's interpretation brings clarity to the use of social competences under EU law, and that it protects the effectiveness of the social policy goal. However, not everything is worth celebrating, and much remains to be seen in the years to come.