Welcome to Better Europe’s weekly update on EU Affairs.
VON DER LEYEN’S NEW COMMISSION GETS THROUGH AMID DEEP DIVISIONS
Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission squeaked through the European Parliament on Wednesday with 370 votes in favour, 282 against and 36 abstentions. Behind the numbers lies a deeply fractured political landscape, with tensions simmering across party lines and national delegations. The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) almost unanimously supported the Commission, joined by the far-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), including Italy’s Brothers of Italy and the Flemish NVA, a surprising turnaround for the ECR who had previously opposed von der Leyen’s second term but backed the team to ensure right-wing leadership in Brussels. However, the road to approval was far from smooth. The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) remained split over the inclusion of Raffaele Fitto, an Italian ECR member, as a Commission Vice-President. French and German Socialists led the rebellion, voting against or abstaining in protest. The Greens, who supported von der Leyen in 2019, also turned their backs, with almost half abstaining or voting against in a symbolic rejection of Fitto and the rightward shift of the Commission. Renew Europe provided important support, but not without dissent. The liberal Nordic delegations raised concerns, reflecting a wider unease within the centrist group. Von der Leyen may have secured her second term, but the fractured vote reflects a Parliament more divided than ever – foreshadowing the challenges ahead for her Commission in navigating Europe’s increasingly polarised politics.
COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL MAPS OUT EU ECONOMIC OVERHAUL
At the Competitiveness Council on 28-29 November, Ministers set out a path to modernise the economy and strengthen the single market. With a focus on cutting red tape, boosting innovation and increasing strategic investment, the meeting claimed to set the stage for long-term growth and relied heavily on the endorsement of the Draghi report. Ministers went as far as to call for a 50% reduction in administrative burdens for SMEs, beyond the Commission’s 35% target, believing digital tools such as AI and the blockchain can help to simplify compliance requirements. The conclusions also feature strategic investment prominently, with clean technologies and energy infrastructure seen as key drivers of sustainable growth. Ministers stressed the need to modernise the EU’s industrial base, while creating a more supportive environment for SMEs through better financing and reduced regulatory burdens. Discussions went beyond regulation to address Europe’s strategic goals and included a boost to Europe’s biotech sector, increased battery production to support the transition to clean energy, and a rethink of automotive policy to balance climate ambitions with competitiveness.
MEPS DEMAND STRONGER EU ACTION ON BIODIVERSITY AFTER COP16
Even if it’s COP29 that just finished last weekend, MEPs were more concerned with COP16, in this week’s heated debate in Strasbourg on the outcome of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali (Colombia) at the end of October. Despite some successes, including the creation of a fund for indigenous communities and the adoption of national biodiversity strategies by 44 countries, MEPs were quick to voice their concerns. Chief among these was the lack of sufficient EU funding – only USD 0.4 billion of the USD 200 billion annual target has been pledged. This 99.8% shortfall has raised doubts about the EU’s commitment to leading global biodiversity efforts. Criticism also came from different political groups, with Socialist MEPs questioning the credibility of the EU’s Green Deal given the lack of progress on biodiversity funding. Green MEPs called for immediate, concrete action, highlighting in particular the alarming rate of species extinction and the lack of funding for restoration projects. Meanwhile, representatives of the European People’s Party (EPP) stressed the importance of a global, inclusive approach to biodiversity protection and urged emerging economies to step up their commitments. The debate underlined a clear message: while COP16 brought together the world’s stakeholders, more is needed to ensure that the EU and its global partners turn promises into reality. As the biodiversity crisis worsens, MEPs call on Europe to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results.