Why cohesion policy is not about cohesion

Cohesion policy was established in the 1970s to alleviate growing disparities between wealthier and poorer areas. However, the original egalitarian cohesion mandate set out in the Treaties has been gradually diluted by means of subtle changes across different yet interrelated aspects of the funds'legal architecture, and with the complicity of national governments, the Commission, and the CJEU. The result is a policy that pursues objectives other than economic, social, and territorial cohesion. In this context, it is not surprising that the cohesion legal basis of Article 175(3) TFEU can now be invoked to support virtually any economic instrument, as evidenced in the recent crisis response programmes.