Welcome to Better Europe’s weekly update on EU Affairs.
TRUMP’S VOICE ECHOES IN DAVOS AS VDL TRIES TO SAVE TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP
At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Ursula von der Leyen wasn’t afraid to throw down the gauntlet. The Commission President urged Europe and the U.S. to stand together against the looming threats of rising Chinese influence and geopolitical instability. Von der Leyen’s message? It’s time for the EU and the US to stop being the global good guys in an age of power grabs and backdoor deals. With China’s growing presence in high-tech sectors like 5G and AI, Europe risks being sidelined in the next great tech race. Von der Leyen warned that China’s growing influence could challenge the shared transatlantic democratic values. Meanwhile, Belgium PM Alexander De Croo urged Europe to reduce its dependence on others and warned that a transatlantic trade war would be a gift to China. And while President Trump wasn’t in Davos this year, his ‘America First’ rhetoric and potential “tariffs” on everything that moves still echoed around the room.
FINANCE MINISTERS WANT COMMISSION TO SPEED UP OMNIBUS
EU finance ministers, led by Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, earlier this week increased the pressure on the Commission to come forward with a significant “omnibus” admin burden reduction exercise in the field of corporate reporting and responsibility. Ministers, including Luxembourg’s Gilles Roth, stressed the need to address duplicative and incoherent texts. Domański made it clear that simplification would remain a priority during the Polish Presidency saying that “the message is clear: Europe should be an economic superpower, not a regulatory superstate.” Other “omnibuses” are now likely to follow as the Commission continues to identify areas for simplification. The Digital Euro project was also discussed, with Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis defending the need to move forward with his legislative proposal, despite the deregulation mood. He expressed optimism that a consensus could be reached this year. Poland, not yet a member of the euro area itself, committed itself to constructive engagement in these discussions.
YES, NGOS ARE ALLOWED TO LOBBY IN EUROPE
The Parliament plenary debate on the LIFE NGO financing programme revealed sharp divisions between political groups over transparency and the role of NGOs in EU policy-making. The ECR and EPP who had asked for the debate, criticised the idea of EU funds being used for advocacy activities aimed at influencing policy. They called for stricter oversight and questioned whether taxpayers’ money should fund what they call “activism”, especially in the few cases where the Commission explicitly expected NGOs to promote their views with other parts of the Commission and the Parliament. Concerns were also raised about NGOs receiving funding from third countries and external sources, with calls for parts of the LIFE programme budget to be reallocated. In contrast, the S&D, Renew, the Greens and the Left defended the programme, emphasising the essential role of NGOs in democracy, human rights and environmental protection. They argued that NGOs provide a vital counterbalance to corporate lobbying, and some accused right-wing groups of using transparency as a pretext to silence dissenting voices and restrict civil society. Commissioner Piotr Serafin reiterated the importance of NGOs in contributing to EU goals, while highlighting recent steps to ensure clarity and accountability in funding.