“Competitiveness compass. »» The expression continued to be repeated by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Wednesday, January 29. It is this “Bousson (…), in a way a translation of the Draghi relationship “,, which should allow the twenty-seven of “Consider [son] delay in innovation ”to establish a “Joint roadmap for decarbonation and competitiveness”as well as “Reduce dependence and strengthen resilience and economic security” while “Europe is still lagging against the United States and China in terms of growth and productivity”she defended.
The publication of this “Competitiveness compass”after a presidency of the European Commission marked during the last mandate by the environment placed on the environment, intervenes under pressure from the thunderous announcements of Donald Trump in terms of protectionism or giant investments in artificial intelligence.
Digital champions, the United States but also China has dug a gaping ditch with a Europe bogged down in stagnation. The European Union intends to return to the race by applying the recommendations made last year by the former Italian heads of government Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi in two highly publicized reports. First concrete announcements on the relief of the administrative burden of companies and aid to own industry are expected on February 26.
Targeted environmental texts
Among the projects set out, Mme von der Leyen announced that she wanted “Relaunch the engine of innovation” of the European Union (EU), which implies regulatory alleviation for companies, without renouncing environmental commitments. “I want to be very clear: the European Union maintains the course concerning the objectives of the green pact”she said.
The numerous environmental texts voted in recent years are in the sights of companies, which multiply threats of relocation, while environmentalists fear a detacotation of climate laws. Dozens of legislation will be reviewed to reduce the administrative burden, in particular an emblematic text on the duty of vigilance of companies towards their subcontractors, another on social and environmental reporting, or even the Reach regulation to protect human health against the risks linked to chemicals. Ursula von der Leyen “Has embraced the calls of lobbies, neoliberals and the extreme right” And “Confirms his massive offensive against environmental legislation”denounced the MEP Marie Toussaint (the Greens/European Free Alliance).
A new category of intermediate size company, between SMEs and large group, will be created to lighten the regulatory burden of “Thousands of companies”. A specific European legal regime, distinct from the 27 national jurisdictions, would be created to allow innovative companies to access “Harmonized rules” In terms of bankruptcy, labor law, taxation.
The thorny question of the cost of energy
Since the war in Ukraine, Europe has lost its cheap Russian gas supply and has undergone a cost of energy much higher than its international competitors. To save its industry, the EU must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. “We must further develop our energy production from renewable sources, and, in some countries, nuclear”had told Davos Ursula von der Leyen, recognizing the role of the atom, long taboo in Brussels. The commission's “compass” also advocates “Facilitate long -term electricity purchase contracts” And accelerate investment in the energy transport and storage network.
Public aid “Targeted and simplified” will be set up to encourage the green transition of industry. For maximum efficiency, Stéphane Séjourné, vice-president of the European Commission for prosperity and industrial strategy, would like to aim as a priority “The first 100 co -of -CO sites2 »»which represent more than half of industrial emissions in Europe.
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Labels to develop demand for low carbon products will be created. Brussels intends, for example, developing “green” steel, the demand of which is today almost zero due to prohibitive costs. For the most difficult branches such as chemistry, steel industry and automobile, specific sectoral plans are planned this year.
Deposit of competition rules
Innovation in the technological sector requires very large budgets that only the largest companies are able to assume, hence giant marriages internationally. When the Commission, the gendarme of competition in the EU, studies a merger, it essentially takes its impact on prices into account, which slows down the creation of European champions.
Mario Draghi has recommended to adapt the regulation of concentrations to also take into account positive effects on innovation. It was heard by the Commission, which announces “New guidelines to assess mergers”.
Stéphane Séjourné wants to accelerate the reopening of mines of rare metals in Europe and has already received 170 operating or mining research projects, projects often disputed locally for their environmental impact. The objective is to reduce European dependencies, especially towards China. “We will facilitate” The award of permit, says the commissioner responsible for the industrial strategy.
Consolidate the single market
The “compass” also provides for the creation of a platform for the joint purchase of strategic raw materials. It emphasizes the development of multiple international partnerships to make supplies resilient, including in green (solar, wind), digital technologies (chips) or essential ingredients for drugs. In a provisional text, the “compass” evoked the introduction next year of a “European preference in public procurement” For certain critical technologies, a measure pushed by France in order to reply to the restrictions of China.
The single market is over thirty years old and has helped to give birth to European giants in chemistry, aeronautics or the automobile. But he suffers from dead angles: finance, but also telecoms, energy or defense remain fragmented by different national regulations. “Remove the remaining barriers and widen the single market will contribute to competitiveness in all its dimensions”underlines the commission.
Unify European capital markets is a priority, but divergent national interests have prevented any progress for ten years. Result: Europe has a single currency but its start-ups remain unable to carry out the giant funds of their competitors in the United States. Ursula von der Leyen had promised Davos a first concrete measure: the creation of “New European savings and investment products”.
Source: Lemonde