The Bolkestein directive or Services Directive, officially Services in the Internal Market Directive 2006/123/EC, is a European Union law aiming at establishing a single market for services within the European Union (EU). Drafted under the leadership of the former right-wing European Commissioner for Internal Market Frits Bolkestein, it has been popularly referred to by his name. It was seen as an important kick-start to the Lisbon Agenda which, launched in 2000, was an agreed strategy to make the EU "the world's most dynamic and competitive economy" by 2010.
Frits Bolkestein
French and Belgian trade unions protesting against the directive in Brussels on 19 March 2005
Protests against the directive in Strasbourg on 12 February 2006
European Commissioner for Internal Market
The Commissioner for Internal Market is a member of the European Commission. The post is currently held by Commissioner Thierry Breton.
European Commissioner for Internal Market