Sun. Dec 1st, 2024

Brussels, 9 September 2024

EPP Group shares Draghi’s wake-up call on competitiveness and single market completion

Today, Mario Draghi presented his report on the future of European competitiveness.The EPP Group has long championed the need for competitiveness to be the guiding principle of all European Union policies.

Andreas Schwab MEP, EPP Group spokesman on the single market, says: “The Draghi report rightly wants to shift our focus to innovation and wealth creation. We need to seriously reduce the regulatory burden on European companies, not the rules they must respect. He rightly calls for a significant cut in reporting obligations for SMEs and small mid-caps to restore competitiveness in sectors where Europe is particularly exposed to international competition. I am satisfied that he confirms many of the demands that the EPP Group has been making for a long time. It is not surprising that Draghi recognises that the fragmentation of the single market along national lines is the main obstacle to the growth of innovative companies. We must tackle these serious disincentives for innovators and investors, especially in the technology sector. Only with a fully completed single market in the areas that matter to innovative companies will the EU find its own way to compete on the global stage.”

Christian Ehler MEP, EPP Group spokesman on industry, research and energy, adds: “I welcome the presentation of Mario Draghi’s report. It is a wake-up call to policymakers both in the Member States and in Brussels: we need to take swift and significant action on EU competitiveness. We need to create a business case for the European industry and finally turn our path to decarbonisation into a competitive advantage for European companies. The Draghi report identifies many challenges and provides concrete pathways to solutions, all of which require common European ambition and action. As the EPP Group, we have long been calling for many of these proposals. This report mustn’t get lost in the drawers of Brussels bureaucrats: national capitals and EU policymakers must harness the common ambition to rise to the challenges of our time.”

The EPP Group will follow up on the report and has suggested inviting Mr Draghi to the next plenary session of the European Parliament to debate his report.

 


Statements der EU-Abgeordneten Daniel Caspary (CDU) Angelika Niebler (CSU) zum Draghi-Bericht zur Wettbewerbsfähigkeit

Mario Draghi hat heute seinen Bericht zur Zukunft der europäischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit vorgestellt. Dazu erklären

Daniel Caspary (CDU), Vorsitzender der CDU/CSU-Gruppe im Europäischen Parlament:

“Wettbewerbsfähigkeit ist das Schlüsselthema der kommenden Europäische Kommission. Mit der Beauftragung von Mario Draghi einen Bericht zur Zukunft der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu erarbeiten, hat Ursula von der Leyen einen starken Impuls gesetzt. Mario Draghi bringt es auf den Punkt, dass Europa hinter dem zurückbleibt, was wir erreichen könnten, wenn wir wirklich als Gemeinschaft handeln würden: zu häufig fehlt der Fokus, wie haben zu viel regulatorische Belastung und zu viel Ressourcenverschwendung.

Draghis Plädoyer für eine neue Industriestrategie ist richtig.  Auch Ideen wie die Kohäsionsmittel stärker auf die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit auszurichten, sind Initiativen die Europa helfen, vorausgesetzt sie werden auch umgesetzt. Europa muss seine begrenzten Mittel endlich zielgerichteter einsetzen, nicht nur, aber insbesondere im Hinblick auf die verteidigungspolitischen Herausforderungen. Ich bin auch froh, dass er auch die Notwendigkeit zielgerichteter neuer Handelsabkommen klar anspricht. Europa braucht mehr Zusammenarbeit, untereinander und darüber hinaus. Der Draghi-Bericht macht dies nochmals deutlich.”

Angelika Niebler (CSU), Co-Vorsitzende der CDU/CSU-Gruppe und Vorsitzende der CSU-Europagruppe in Europäischen Parlament:

“Wir fordern seit langem, dass Europa der schleichenden Deindustrialisierung endlich konkrete Maßnahmen entgegensetzt. In Mario Draghi haben wir dafür einen Verbündeten. Viele der in seinem Bericht heute vorgebrachten Punkte sind richtig. Wir brauchen mehr Fokus bei der Gesetzgebung, weniger Belastung für die Wirtschaft, niedrigere Energiekosten, mehr Investitionen in Forschung und Innovation und neuen Schwung zur Vollendung des Binnenmarkts. Auch mehr Mehrheitsentscheidung im Rat und eine Stärkung der Subsidarität fordern wir schon lange. Draghis Bericht ist auch ein Zeichen, dass Europa die Zeichen der Zeit endlich erkannt hat. Er muss den laufenden Politikwechsel für mehr wirtschaftliche Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Bürokratieabbau unterfüttern und beschleunigen. Der Bericht zeigt auf, wie dringlich es ist, dass Kommission, Rat und Parlament zeitnah konkrete Vorschläge vorlegen, um diese Ziele zu erreichen.

Ein entscheidender Wehrmutstropfen ist jedoch Draghi’s Ruf nach neuen EU-Schulden. Nicht nur der Europäische Rechnungshof hat zuletzt festgestellt, dass die Erfahrungen mit dem Corona-Wiederaufbaufonds nur wenig nachahmenswert sind. So verschiebt man die Herausforderungen von heute nur auf künftige Generationen.”

Quelle – CDU/CSU-Fraktion per E-Mail

 


Draghi-Bericht – Markus Ferber (CSU) will Taten sehen: Wettbewerbsfähigkeit muss oberste Priorität werden!

„Mit dem Draghi-Bericht erhält das Thema Wettbewerbsfähigkeit endlich die Stellung, die es seit langem verdient. Papier ist geduldig. Es darf nicht allein bei Berichten bleiben, am Ende zählt die Umsetzung“, kommentiert der CSU-Europaabgeordnete und wirtschaftspolitische Sprecher der EVP-Fraktion im Europäischen Parlament, Markus Ferber, den heute vorgestellten Bericht des ehemaligen EZB-Chefs und italienischen Ministerpräsidenten Mario Draghi zur Verbesserung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit in der EU.

Ferber sieht den Draghi-Bericht auch als Weckruf: „Draghis Bericht beschreibt sehr anschaulich, wie schlecht es um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der EU bestellt ist. Die Diagnose ist klar: Der Patient Europa ist schwer angeschlagen. Aussicht auf Heilung gibt es nur, wenn Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zur obersten Priorität wird. Wenn wir unseren Wohlstand in den kommenden Jahrzehnten erhalten wollen, müssen wir jetzt die Weichen stellen.“ Für den Wirtschaftspolitiker zeigt die finstere Bestandsaufnahme auch: „Die Behauptung, dass der Green Deal ohne weiteres Zutun zu einem neuen Wirtschaftswunder führen würde, hat sich als Märchen entpuppt. Ohne deutliche Produktivitätsgewinne werden wir unseren Wohlstand nicht bewahren können.“

Für den CSU-Europaabgeordneten ist klar: „Die EU hatte sich einmal das Ziel gesetzt, zum wettbewerbsfähigsten Wirtschaftsraum der Welt zu werden – das muss wieder das Leitmotiv werden.“

EU-Kommission muss am Thema dranbleiben

Für Ferber ist wichtig, dass die Kommission sich die Empfehlungen des Draghi-Berichts auch wirklich anschaut: „Der beste Bericht bringt nichts, wenn er danach in der Schublade verschwindet. Das wichtigste ist, dass das Thema Wettbewerbsfähigkeit nach der Vorstellung des Draghi-Berichts nicht einfach verpufft. Die Kommission muss das Thema intensiv weiterverfolgen. Der Draghi-Bericht enthält viele Elemente, die als Inspiration für das Arbeitsprogramm der Europäischen Kommission dienen können.“

Ferber betont, dass das Thema Wettbewerbsfähigkeit sich auch institutionell in der neuen Europäischen Kommission wiederspiegeln muss: „Ursula von der Leyen stellt diese Woche ihr Team an Kommissaren vor. Das ist der Lackmus-Test dafür, ob es die Kommissionspräsidentin mit dem Thema Wettbewerbsfähigkeit ernst meint. Wir brauchen einen eigenen, hochrangigen Kommissar, der sich allein mit dem Thema Wettbewerbsfähigkeit beschäftigt.“

Kritik an Vorschlägen für neue EU-Schulden

„Bei der Finanzierung seiner Vorschläge hat Draghi insofern recht, als dass der wesentliche Impuls vom Privatsektor und aus Produktivitätsgewinnen kommen muss. Neue gemeinsame Schuldentöpfe sind weder politisch realistisch noch ökonomisch sinnvoll. Die Wettbewerbsfähigkeitsagenda darf sich am Ende nicht an fruchtlosen Debatten über neue Schulden verhaken. Es muss darum gehen, dass der Standort Europa so attraktiv wird, dass er wieder viel mehr private Investitionen anzieht. Eine echte europäische Kapitalmarktunion muss dabei eine wesentliche Rolle spielen. Dafür braucht es aber mehr Engagement der Mitgliedstaaten.“

Quelle – Markus Ferber per E-Mail

 


S&D leader calls for tangible social legislation after Draghi’s report

After today’s presentation of Draghi’s report on the future of Europe’s competitiveness, Iratxe García defines the report as a “starting point in defining the challenges we are facing and a good way to kick off the new legislative period with ideas on how to modernise our economy and accelerate the green and just transition”. However, García warns “competitiveness needs to be for everybody – based on well-being and social progress”. She notes that this follows Enrico Letta’s earlier report on the future of the Single Market, offering solutions across various policy areas – “It ensures continuity with Letta’s efforts,” she states.

S&D Group president, Iratxe García, said:

“The report presents a realistic analysis of the challenges the European Union is facing from an economic, social and environmental perspective. Now, we need to work on the solutions to these challenges. We are glad to see some of the S&D Group’s priorities in the report, such as the decarbonisation of the EU economy and the need for a green industrial strategy; the engagement with European values such as social equality, equity and quality public services; and finally, the call for common EU funding to bridge the investment gap and the financing needed for the just, green and digital transition.

“However, putting these ideas on paper is not enough, now we urge the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the future College of Commissioners into action. We need tangible legislation and concrete solutions to the challenges our Union and citizens are facing. We expect the social model to be at the core of EU policymaking and translated into concrete legislation. Competitiveness should benefit everyone and be grounded in well-being and social progress.

“It is time to act. We need to increase the EU’s investment capacity with common EU funding and a strong budget, while advancing on the social deal and not setting back EU green goals. The progressives will be looking for this commitment from the candidates of the College of Commissioners in the upcoming hearings in the European Parliament.”

Source – S&D Group via email

 


EU-Abgeordneter und Vorsitzender der Europa-SPD René Repasi: “Zentrale Aufgabe der neuen Legislatur”

Im Auftrag der Kommissionspräsidentin hat der ehemalige Premierminister Italiens, Mario Draghi, einen Bericht über den Zustand des europäischen Binnenmarkts verfasst, der am heutigen Montag in Brüssel vorgestellt wird. Das etwa 400-seitige Papier umfasst eine Problemanalyse sowie Vorschläge für das Ankurbeln der europäischen Wirtschaft.

René Repasi, Vorsitzender der Europa-SPD:

“Dieser Bericht kommt zum richtigen Zeitpunkt. Am Mittwoch erwarten wir die Vorschläge von der Leyens für die Besetzung ihres Kollegiums – das Thema Wettbewerbsfähigkeit wird ohne Zweifel eines der begehrtesten, aber auch herausforderndsten Aufgaben dieser Legislatur. Von der Reform öffentlicher Ausschreibungen, die aktuell zu wenig an unsere eigenen Unternehmen in der EU gehen, bis hin zur Diversifizierung der europäischen Energieimporte – wettbewerbsfähig sein heißt öffentliche und private Investitionen ermöglichen, unter anderem in nachhaltige Technologien, Abhängigkeiten reduzieren, Handelsbeziehungen stärken und vor allem: Arbeitsplätze in Europa sichern.

Ob bei Audi in Brüssel oder VW in Deutschland – Arbeitnehmer:innen fürchten um ihre Jobs – unter anderem weil die EU als Absatzmarkt schwächelt. Eine europäische Industriestrategie muss diese Krise jetzt anpacken. Als Sozialdemokrat:innen werden wir den Bericht daraufhin prüfen, inwiefern er die soziale Frage berücksichtigt. Wettbewerbsfähigkeit darf nicht heißen, dass wir unser soziales Modell über Bord werfen. Denn Krisen löst man nicht mit dem Rausschmiss von Beschäftigten, sondern mit Innovationen in die Zukunft. Der europäische Binnenmarkt muss zum Beispiel weiter für gute Bedingungen zur Entwicklung von Elektromobilität sorgen.

Damit der Wirtschaftsstandort Europa erhalten bleibt und im globalen Wettbewerb mithalten kann, müssen wir gemeinsame Maßnahmen abstimmen. In dieser zentralen Frage sind die Erwartungen an Ursula von der Leyens Kommission von allen Seiten, ob aus der Wirtschaft oder aus den Fraktionen im EU-Parlament, besonders hoch.”

Eine ausführlichere Analyse des Berichts seitens der Abgeordneten erfolgt in den nächsten Tagen. Für Nachfragen zu den Positionen der Europa-SPD steht die Pressestelle gerne zur Verfügung.

Quelle – Europa-SPD per E-Mail und Webseite

 


Renew Europe: Mr Draghi’s report is a wake-up call for Europe

Renew Europe welcomes the launch of Mr Draghi’s report on European competitiveness today, calling it a wake-up for Europe. We therefore welcome that several of Renew Europe’s calls to action are included. To name a few, innovation, speeding up digitalization, decarbonisation as the source of growth, bold defence and reduce barriers for the single market.

Commenting after the launch of Mr Draghi’s report, President of Renew Europe, Valérie Hayer, said:

“Our businesses are crying out for a more competitive environment, investment in infrastructure and a stronger focus on strategic autonomy. Our single market needs to be deepened and strengthened into a complete capital market. We need to kick-start European competitiveness and there is no time to lose.”

At the same time, Renew Europe warns that the big reforms needed to deliver a stronger economy and more opportunities for citizen’s will only come if the political extremists who want to block European progress are overcome. The needed new economic model for Europe can only be delivered from the political centre.

President of Renew Europe, Valérie Hayer, said further:

“This report is a wake-up call for all Europe. Our continent is at a crossroads: further European integration, investment and simplification to build a new economy, or the risk of stagnation. We expect this report and the report of Mr Letta to shape the incoming European Commission and its priorities. Political polarisation and the politics of extremism must not be allowed to put the brakes on the reforms that are needed to secure prosperity and opportunity for everyone in Europe. Renew Europe will be a strong, progressive parliamentary partner for an ambitious new European Commission. A new economic model for Europe can only be delivered from the political centre.”

Source – Renew Europe (per email)

 


Greens/EFA Group welcomes that Draghi report recognises urgent need for EU action on decarbonisation, competitiveness & jobs

Today, Mario Draghi the former Prime Minister of Italy and former head of the European Central Bank, has just come out with his Commission-mandated report on the future of competitiveness in the EU, which suggests a swath of potential reforms of the EU’s economic and industrial policies, defence capabilities, as well as changes to the EU’s governance structures.

Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

“We welcome that the Draghi report recognises that competitiveness and decarbonisation are two sides of the same coin. It is essential to revive the EU’s economy and leadership on the global stage. We must treat the need to give Europe the competitive edge and the green transition of our industry as an opportunity to create jobs and radically improve the lives of people in Europe and secure our future.

“It’s important that the report clearly recognises that the EU’s energy market is still dominated by fossil gas and other vested interests. We welcome that Draghi sees the need to ensure that the benefits of cheap renewable energy are maximised for consumers and for the climate.

“We have long been calling for the EU to move beyond the vetoes of a few Member States in the Council. The Draghi report recognises this and the EU must move forward on its decision making capacity so that we do not spend another decade being held back by autocrats like Viktor Orban. As Draghi clearly emphasises, we need to improve the welfare of all Europeans in respect of EU values and the Treaties. The EU needs to increase its democratic legitimacy, chiefly through greater involvement of the European Parliament and other EU institutions in decision making.

“The EU must be the global leader in the green transition if we are to meet our climate goals and spur on a new green industrial revolution in order to deliver on the promise of a Europe that works for people and planet.”

Bas Eickhout MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

“The Draghi report states that we need massive investment in an industrial policy that protects our economies from global threats. We need common financial instruments in the spirit of Next Generation EU. The EU needs to encourage the inward investment of private savings and corporate profits within the EU, while avoiding excessive outflow to shareholders.

“We cannot hamper our own competitiveness by pursuing fiscal policies that entrench austerity and undermine investment. The EU will need to have its own resources to grow funding at the EU-level as well as harmonising tax policies between member states to end the race to the bottom that only hurts states finances.

“Finally, trade policy should be put in line with the preservation and promotion of manufacturing capacities for green technologies in the EU, while fostering win-win partnerships particularly with  developing countries.”

Source – Greens/EFA

 


EU-Abgeordnete Anna Cavazzini (Grüne/EFA) zum Draghi-Bericht: Netto-Null-Ziele Grundlage der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit

Gerade hat Mario Draghi seinen von der Europäischen Kommission in Auftrag gegebenen Bericht zur zukünftigen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der EU vorgestellt. Diesen kommentiert Anna Cavazzini, Vorsitzende des Ausschusses für Binnenmarkt und Verbraucherschutz des Europäischen Parlaments:

“Ich begrüße den Bericht von Mario Draghi, der an der wichtigsten Grundlage der europäischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit festhält: Die Netto-Null-Ziele und der Übergang zur Kreislaufwirtschaft sind nicht verhandelbar. Um den Umbau der europäischen Wirtschaft zum Erfolg zu machen, braucht Europa massive Investitionen und eine Industriepolitik, die die hiesige Wirtschaft vor geopolitischen Turbulenzen schützt. Dafür braucht es mehr Finanzkraft auf europäischer Ebene. Leider scheinen sich viele Mitgliedstaaten in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zu bewegen. Die wichtigsten Ideen des Berichts müssen in die Arbeit der nächsten Kommission einfließen.”

Quelle – die Grünen/EFA per E-Mail

 


Left MEPs Slam Draghi’s ‘Race to the Bottom’ Competitiveness Plan

The political vision outlined in the report by former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi risks fueling a race to the bottom for Europe’s workers and environment. While the call for a significant increase in investment—€800 billion annually for key transitions—is welcome, Draghi’s plan to fund this primarily through the private sector, extending finance via capital markets, misses the mark. A robust public sector must be the driving force behind Europe’s recovery, not private profits.

Co-chair Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France):

“While Draghi’s emphasis on boosting investment is interesting, his push towards more liberalization, deregulation, and private sector incentives signals more of the same outdated EU economic dogma that has failed both people and the planet for decades. Pursuing competitiveness always risks lowering wages, weakening working conditions, and reducing social protections, while environmental standards get compromised in the name of profit.”

Co-chair Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany):

“Instead of confronting the dominance of overseas corporate giants with proper anti-monopoly measures, Draghi’s plan looks set to create new corporate monsters within the EU. This logic is deeply flawed. We should be breaking up overpowered corporations, not creating new ones. His proposal to pool debt only serves to fund mega-corporations, and when these become ‘too big to jail,’ the public will be left to clean up the mess.”

Deregulation Risks: One of the most concerning aspects of the report is Draghi’s call to revisit banking prudential regulations and reduce the administrative burden on businesses. This push for deregulation could dangerously undermine safeguards designed to protect consumers, workers, and the financial system itself.

While Draghi proposes addressing the competitiveness gap with the U.S. and China, he fails to address the more pressing need: building an economy that works for people and the planet. The report’s overreliance on economic growth, innovation, and technology as magical remedies ignores the growing inequality and poverty across Europe. Focusing on boosting productivity alone will not solve the EU’s deep structural problems.

The lack of transparency in drafting the report has raised questions, but more critical is its fundamental direction. Instead of rethinking the European economy in a way that prioritizes social justice, environmental sustainability, and reducing inequality, this plan sticks to the failed logic of prioritizing corporate profits.

The Left in the European Parliament will fight against this misguided approach. We advocate for an economy that works for everyone, not just large corporations. A European future cannot be built on deregulation and liberalization—it must be rooted in strong public investment, protection of workers’ rights, and a commitment to social and environmental justice.

Source – The Left

 


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Bruegel: Draghi’s industrial masterplan has decarbonisation at its core

The report represents a solid basis for the development of an EU Clean Industrial Deal

9 September 2024

Authors: Simone Tagliapietra

A report on the future of European competitiveness, prepared by former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi and long awaited in Brussels, is finally out. It is expected to significantly shape the work programme for the next five years of the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, who commissioned the report.

The report is a masterplan for a new European industrial strategy. Draghi sees decarbonisation at its core. While some voices – especially on the far-right – portray the green transition as an existential threat to Europe’s industrial competitiveness, the report stresses that ambitious climate policy can and should unleash substantial industrial opportunities for the continent.

Decarbonisation is indeed an opportunity for Europe to cut energy prices and to take the lead in clean technologies. To marry decarbonisation with technological leadership, Draghi puts forward a “joint plan for decarbonisation and competitiveness” that matches a new flagship initiative proposed by von der Leyen for 2024-2029 – the ‘Clean Industrial Deal’. This is aimed at further developing the under-addressed industrial aspects of the flagship initiative for the last five years, the European Green Deal.

Draghi is very blunt about what’s at stake with this regard: Europe’s green strategy is premised on the creation of new green jobs, so its political sustainability could be jeopardised if decarbonisation leads instead to the de-industrialisation of Europe.

Draghi’s plan has what any modern industrial policy should have: a combination of horizontal actions to set the right framework conditions for investment, and vertical actions to fix sector-specific issues. This also reflects a general principle underpinning the report – the EU’s need to focus on developing a competitive, open and innovative knowledge economy, while putting in place targeted interventions for those situations in which EU companies face asymmetries, such as different speeds of decarbonisation in Europe and around the world.

The report sets out four main horizontal actions. First, there should full implementation of the EU single market along the lines envisaged in another report produced by a former Italian prime ministers, April’s Letta report. Second, measures should be implemented to better coordinate industrial, competition and trade policies in order to avoid the pitfalls of internal incumbent favouritism and external protectionism. Third, measures are needed to mobilise the massive investments required, including new EU borrowing for European public goods such as breakthrough innovation and cross-border electricity grids. Fourth, EU-level industrial policy coordination should be strengthened, to overcome the traditional fragmented approach that prevents the EU from achieving economies of scale and obtaining global leverage.

On vertical policy actions, the report spotlights the key trade-off of decarbonisation versus competitiveness versus security. Textbook examples are Chinese solar panels and electric cars: while they are certainly good for European decarbonisation, they are also problematic for its competitiveness and security. 

To manage this difficult trade-off, Draghi suggests avoiding black-and-white solutions in the European context. Most notably, his report firmly rejects the temptation to emulate the United States approach of systematically shutting out Chinese clean technologies, which would make the European green transition more difficult and expensive. Instead, Draghi rightly suggests that Europe should deploy smart and technology-specific green industrial policies, tailored to the circumstances of each industrial sector.

On solar panels, for instance, where Europe has no strong comparative advantage, the report suggests keeping Europe’s doors open and basically free riding on the expensive manufacturing subsidies provided by the countries of origin, while diversifying suppliers to the greatest possible extent to maximise security.

However, in industries such as wind turbines, on which Europe does have a strong comparative advantage, Draghi suggests that Europe ramp-up support, also introducing explicit minimum quotas for local products and components in public procurement. His report also stresses the need to make more use when necessary of trade policy instruments – starting with tariffs – to ensure the level playing field. He stresses the need to deploy all possible tools to support and protect infant industries where Europe has an innovative edge and future growth potential.

The detailed nature Draghi’s recommendations will be an authoritative basis for the European Commission to develop the Clean Industrial Deal. The EU already has the Net Zero Industry Act, a law aimed at supporting clean-tech manufacturing by addressing some of the barriers to the scaling-up of clean-tech companies. This represented a first step in the right direction and should be promptly implemented, but the Draghi report makes clear that much stronger actions, both on clean-tech manufacturing and on the decarbonisation of established energy-intensive industries, including steel, aluminium, cement and chemicals, are still required to ensure that Europe can efficiently combine decarbonisation and technological leadership.

About the authors

Simone Tagliapietra

Simone Tagliapietra is a Senior fellow at Bruegel. He is alsoa Professor of EU Energy and Climate Policy at The Johns Hopkins University – School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Europe.

His research focuses on the EU climate and energy policy and on the political economy of global decarbonisation. With a record of numerous policy and scientific publications,also in leading journals such asNatureandScience,he is the author of Global Energy Fundamentals (Cambridge University Press, 2020) and co-author of The Macroeconomics of Decarbonisation (Cambridge University Press, 2024).

His columns and policy work are widely published and cited in leading international media such as theBBC, CNN,Financial Times, The New York Times,The Economist,The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Corriere della Sera, Le Monde, El Pais, and several others.

Simonealso is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Clean Air Task Force (CATF). Heholds a PhD in Institutions and Policies from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Born in the Dolomites in 1988, he speaks Italian, English and French.

Source – Bruegel

 


BusinessEurope welcomes Draghi report and calls for urgent action to restore the EU’s competitive edge

Welcoming the much-anticipated report on the future of the EU’s competitiveness, presented today by Professor Mario Draghi, BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson said:

“We welcome the release of this comprehensive report and extend our gratitude to Professor Draghi and his team for the extensive work. The report will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping future EU strategies and policies.

A stark and alarming conclusion of the report is that the European Union is lagging behind its global competitors – a reality that European companies experience daily. We fully endorse the call for a frank and urgent discussion on the disruptive measures the EU must adopt to regain its competitive edge. BusinessEurope has long advocated for a reboot in European policies as we enter the next institutional cycle.

We will pay close attention to the call for a renewed industrial strategy, which rightly prioritises measures like incentivising productive investments in Europe, lowering energy costs or reducing regulatory burdens on companies. Market forces should be at the core of such a strategy, rather than excessive public intervention.

We will conduct a thorough review of the report’s recommendations.”

Source – BusinessEurope via email

 


EuroCommerce comment on Draghi Report: Retail and wholesale key to EU competitiveness

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received Mr Draghi’s report on the future of the European Union’s competitiveness. The report announced in the 2023 State of the Union is expected to steer the incoming Commission and the actions it takes to improve the EU’s competitiveness. The report has put decarbonisation, energy independence, defence, strategic economic security and innovation at the top of the EU agenda.

EuroCommerce Director-General Christel Delberghe, who represents Europe’s retailers and wholesalers commented: “Draghi’s recommendations will steer the EU’s actions for the next five years. We welcome the clear focus on investment, the energy, sustainability and technological transition, better quality legislation and the Single Market. But, any effective EU competitiveness strategy needs to look beyond manufacturing and recognise the contribution of services”.

Retailers and wholesalers are the largest service sector, contributing 10% of the EU’s GDP and are Europe’s first private employer, providing jobs to 26 million Europeans and are present in every community in the EU. Many have been at the forefront of innovations that EU customers now take for granted, such as ecommerce, better for the planet food and consumer electronics, more sustainable clothing and the supply of greener construction and electrical equipment for home or office buildings.

As key partners at the end of the value chain, retail and wholesale are ideally placed to lead by example, coordinate solutions along the supply chain and/or encourage their customers towards more sustainable choices. They are already making significant investments in supporting the energy transition, developing new business models built on the principle of circularity and leading with digital innovation.

The sector is recognised in the report as outperforming the US in mid-technology sectors. Retail and wholesale plays a significant role in Europe’s competitiveness and can do more. This requires the EU and member states to prioritise the Single Market, work in partnership with retailers and wholesalers to develop a skilled workforce, to support decarbonisation and to ensure high impact, high-quality legislation that is low cost to implement.

Commenting on the potential for retail and wholesale to be the EU’s partner of choice, EuroCommerce Director General, Christel Delberghe noted: “We strongly encourage the European Commission to think holistically and recognise what retailers and wholesalers can contribute to the EU’s competitiveness. As the demand side, retailers and wholesalers provide huge potential to scale up green and digital innovation. We must also look beyond our borders and support diversification of global supply chains that help us remain both resilient and globally competitive”.

Source – EuroCommerce (via email)

 


DigitalEurope’s reaction to Mario Draghi’s report

Today, Mario Draghi unveiled his much-anticipated report on boosting the EU’s competitiveness, a crucial moment as Europe faces increasing regional and global challenges. Although European innovations have historically transformed the world, the continent’s businesses are now feeling the pressure of global competition due to a significant tech gap.

Both the US and China are outpacing Europe. Currently, Europe leads in just 1 out of 8 critical tech areas, as highlighted in our recent publication: The EU’s critical tech gap’’, 30% of unicorns from the EU have left and since 2019 the EU has put in place four times as much regulation as the US. Europe must do whatever it takes to turn this around.

DIGITALEUROPE’s Director-General Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl said:

“Mr Draghi’s report rightly puts digital front and centre in Europe’s quest for competitiveness. And the answer is not more regulation.

Several striking statistics highlight the urgency: since 2019, the EU has implemented four times as much regulation as the US, and 30% of unicorns from the EU have left . Europe is losing out on critical innovations in sectors like health, defense, and energy that could strengthen citizens’ well-being, prosperity, and security.

We fully support his call for bold change to break Europe free from the vicious cycle of low innovation, investment and commercialisation . Our latest study shows that Europe is behind in 7 out of 8 critical technologies and the gap is widening quickly. If this continues , Europeans will miss out on well-paid, tech-driven jobs and Europe will lose ground not only in the tech industry itself but also in sectors being transformed by digitalisation, like health, transport, finance, energy, and defense.

There is a long list of positive ideas in this report: simplifying regulation in areas like AI and privacy, larger and pan-European investment in critical technologies, better commercialization of research, breaking down barriers to scale, and the focus on integrating technology into our strength industries. We hope these ideas become reality and stand ready to support their implementation.”

Further background:

  • DIGITALEUROPE published a study in partnership with Frontier Economics showing the EU is behind the US and China in 7 out of 8 critical technology areas we studied – from AI to advanced semiconductors.
  • DIGITALEUROPE published a comprehensive publication delving into 10 major single market barriers from connectivity to cumbersome AI compliance: The Single Market Love Story.
  • DIGITALEUROPE has identified in a previous report several areas where the EU can do more and prepare itself for the future. Succeeding will require a dramatic shift from business as usual.
  • DIGITALEUROPE co-signed a letter outlining specific areas where the European Commission must force change in addressing the Single Market. This included clear regulatory recommendations.

Source – DigitalEurope

 


Eurelectric on Draghi’s report: The positives and less positives for the electricity industry

Yesterday former Italian Prime Minister and former European Central Bank Director Mario Draghi unveiled the much-awaited report on the future of European competitiveness. Eurelectric has gone through the details of the 118-times-energy-quoting report to understand its implications for the power sector.

The Positives: all eyes on grids and a market-friendly approach to boosting competition

For the first time, there is a clear call to common funding for electricity grids – at both the transmission and distribution levels – as an essential pre-requisite for achieving EU energy and decarbonisation objectives.

“It is positive to see that the need for reinforced and expanded power infrastructure is now front and centre, together with the development of storage and flexibility solutions.” – said Eurelectric’s Secretary General Kristian Ruby.

The report provides a very clear picture of the state of our power infrastructure and includes the need to address supply chain shortages for raw materials and grid components, to allow higher interconnection capacity and to bring low-voltage distribution grids under the spotlight and on a par with transmission grids.

Contrary to what was rumoured in previous weeks, the report does not advocate for  radical change of recently agreed market reforms. “Super Mario” remains a strong supporter of Europe’s internal energy market and its marginal pricing, which has kept efficient price signals that prioritise the dispatch of the most competitive energy sources. The report confirms this system has reduced price variation across EU countries and delivered around € 34 billion in cost savings each year to both household and businesses.

“Draghi’s report highlights the importance of long-term instruments such as PPAs and CfDs to help better transfer the benefits of cheap renewable and clean energy to consumers and to make our energy prices more competitive. To see PPAs volumes rise to the necessary levels, however, all EU member states must urgently implement the agreed electricity market reform.” – said Kristian Ruby.

PPAs are not picking up in the same fashion in Europe as most buyers are coming from the IT sector rather than energy  intensives – confirms the report. Incentivising their use can help consumers hedge against excessive price volatility.

However, some aspects of the report are not “market-friendly” and could undermine investor confidence.

The Less Positives: market interventions and questionable ETS fixes

To begin, the report proposes several untested ideas for reducing energy costs  that could use  more careful consideration . For instance, the report suggests granting temporary electricity price reliefs for energy intensives. While this may appear beneficial at first, it might do more harm than good. A regulated price on clean electricity would destroy any investment signals for clean power investors. Increased demand and investor confidence are key elements for ensuring sustained investment in infrastructure and clean electricity generation. We must therefore find the right balance in boosting our competitiveness while also preserving the correct functioning of the market.

Of particular concern for the industry, is the requirement to “supply a predefined minor share of their publicly subsidised production through PPAs at ‘production cost plus mark-up’ to specific industries exposed to international competition.” This would reduce incentives for generators to enter long-term contracts and discourage investment into clean power generation.

“It is essential to take a systemic perspective when considering the introduction of predefined shares of publicly subsidised production for specific industries. This approach represents a significant market intervention that risks discouraging investment in the electricity sector. At a time when we are competing with other sectors to attract capital, we believe this is not the right approach.” – adds Ruby.

Better forms of offering discounts for energy intensives would be lowering energy prices by properly taxing electricity vis-a’-vis polluting fossil fuels as well as ensuring proper remuneration for industrial demand-side response. An argument that was shared by Draghi himself in the report. Today, electricity is 1.4 times more taxed than gas. Correcting this imbalance would level the playing field with the gas market and thus incentivise the switch to electric decarbonised energy sources. Speeding up electrification is key for keeping prices in check.

Draghi’s positions on ETS have also raised a few eyebrows in the power sector, especially with regards to the call for more support for hydrogen and CCUS within the ETS scheme. Eurelectric recognises the ETS revenues allocated so far are insufficient for covered sectors to decarbonise at the necessary speed. However, the spending of ETS revenues should be adjusted to current national reality rather than standardised for every country. As every member state has its own specific industrial layer and needs, ETS funds should be allocated based on their necessities and priorities in achieving the energy transition. At the same time, we should refrain from conceding any delay in the phase out of free allowances as it would continue to heavily distort a well-functioning carbon market.

While energy is a key factor in making our industrial base competitive, it’s one part of the equation. The report seems to zoom in high energy prices as the sole reason behind the lack of competitiveness of our energy intensives. But we know the picture is far more complex.

Moving forward

Overall, Eurelectric welcomed the Draghi’s report given the close alignment with the sector’s “4I” policy priorities for the new Commission:

  • Implementation: adopting long-term contracts in the electricity market reform, solving permitting bottlenecks, and finalising the revision of the European Taxation Directive.
  • Investments: boost financing of network upgrades, clean and renewable capacity and harmonising grid tariffs
  • Infrastructure: deploying storage & flexibility solutions while improving distribution networks.
  • Industrial electrification: reducing energy cost through PPAs long-term contracts as well as by promoting self-generation.

The Draghi’s report will be instrumental for Ursula von der Leyen’s second term, giving key recommendations on which direction to steer the EU. It could not have come sooner. Von der Leyen is set to name the basket of Commissioner nominees to various portfolios up for grabs on Wednesday. This report will help her wrap her head around what those Commissioners should be prioritising.

Source – Eurelectric (via email) 

 


BDI zum Draghi-Bericht: Europas Wettbewerbsfähigkeit akut gefährdet

Zum Bericht von Mario Draghi über die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der EU äußert sich BDI-Hauptgeschäftsführerin Tanja Gönner: „Europas Wettbewerbsfähigkeit ist in einem Umfeld mit zunehmenden geopolitischen Verwerfungen und einem verschärften globalen Standortwettbewerb akut gefährdet.“

„Der Bericht von Mario Draghi bringt es auf den Punkt: Europas Wettbewerbsfähigkeit ist in einem Umfeld mit zunehmenden geopolitischen Verwerfungen und einem verschärften globalen Standortwettbewerb akut gefährdet. Die Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der europäischen Wirtschaft muss für die EU in den nächsten fünf Jahren höchste Priorität haben.

Kein Weiter-So in der Wirtschaftspolitik, stattdessen eine tiefere Integration des Binnenmarkts, um Effizienz zu heben und Wachstum zu stärken, unter anderem in der Verteidigung, der Infrastruktur, der Telekommunikation und der Pharmazie.

Die Europäische Union braucht in der Industrie- und Wirtschaftspolitik in der nun beginnenden Legislatur einen genauso großen Aufschlag wie in der Klimapolitik in der letzten Periode, darunter auch einen „Clean Industrial Deal“. Nur durch grundlegende Reformen und Integrationsschritte können die Ziele wirtschaftliche Sicherheit, Wachstum, Umweltschutz sowie sozialer Ausgleich erreicht werden.  All das muss bürokratiearm und ohne ständige kleinteilige Regelung erfolgen.

Eine solide gemeinsame Finanzierung der Industriepolitik zum Beispiel aus dem Haushalt der EU sowie über die Europäische Investitionsbank im Dienst der Resilienz, Transformation und Innovation ist notwendig. Auch die Mitgliedstaaten sind gefordert, mehr denn je die öffentlichen Investitionen und die Fördermaßnahmen gleichermaßen an diesen Zielen auszurichten und die erkennbaren Lücken zwischen beschlossenen Zielen und zur Verfügung gestellten Mitteln wieder zu schließen.“

Quelle – BDI per E-Mail

 


VDMA zum Draghi-Report:­ ​​​​​​​”Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Europas muss Top-Priorität werden”

Zum sogenannten Draghi-Bericht zur Zukunft der europäischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit sagt VDMA-Hauptgeschäftsführer Thilo Brodtmann:

„Europas Zukunft und Werte hängen davon ab, dass es uns wirtschaftlich gut geht – diese Analyse des Draghi-Berichts ist absolut richtig und wäre eine Kehrtwende der Politik der vergangenen Jahre. Europas Stabilität und Erfolg der Wirtschaft sind eng miteinander verbunden und müssen daher ganz oben auf der politischen Agenda stehen.“

„Mario Draghi scheint den Handel stärker und mehr nach außen gerichtet im Blick zu haben als EU-Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen in ihren politischen Leitlinien. Dies ist erfreulich und vielversprechend und sollte in die Arbeit der Kommission in den kommenden Monaten einfließen. Von protektionistischen Maßnahmen ist dringend abzusehen. Offene Märkte und freier Handel sind für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der europäischen Unternehmen essenziell.“

„Offen ist, welche Maßnahmen die richtigen sind, um die notwendigen Investitionen finanzieren zu können. Ob gemeinsame Schulden für öffentliche Gelder der richtige Weg sind, bezweifeln wir.“

Quelle – VDMA (per E-Mail)

 


EEB: European Industry Needs Smart Policy, Not Just Funding, Green Groups Say

Today, Mario Draghi’s report presented a stark mirror to EU leaders: the bloc is lagging behind its global counterparts due to the lack of investments, sluggish innovation and high energy prices.  Yet, green NGOs urge caution in the proposed goals and solutions: for Europe to truly lead, it must focus on a race to the top—one that puts people and the planet at the heart of its industrial strategy.

Christian Schaible, EEB’s Head of Zero pollution Industry, said:

“A race to outcompete China and the U.S. is not only economically unsound but will only further fuel geopolitical tensions. Europe’s true competitive edge lies in leading a global transformation —driving detoxification, de-pollution, and restoration. To combat deindustrialization in critical sectors and secure lasting prosperity and economic resilience, EU leaders must focus on a coordinated industrial policy that prioritizes fair partnerships, quality green jobs, and the highest environmental and social standards. It’s not just about making the green transition easier for industries; it’s about getting it right. Competitiveness is not the end game—protecting the planet and its people is.”

Here are our reactions to each of the sections of the report:

Closing the innovation gap  

The EU needs to keep pushing innovation, but it can´t be at the expense of people and nature. Europe needs to boost its low-carbon manufacturing capacity and invest in sectors critical for the green transition – including education and health & social care – but productivity growth should not be the end goal of being innovative, the wellbeing of people and planet should remain the priority. A truly competitive and innovative European industry with regards to the rest of the world is one that can deliver a fair and just transition while operating within planetary boundaries.  This includes creating quality jobs, providing decent incomes and livelihoods, and supporting a healthy environment and advocating for  Polutters Pay Principle.

A joint decarbonisation and competitiveness plan 

Draghi rightly sees decarbonisation as a game-changer for lowering Europe’s energy costs and boosting security. But he falls into the dangerous trap of advocating for a “technology-neutral” approach. This would give equal treatment to all technologies, including nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS), alongside renewables, in terms of permitting and financing. According to the IPCC, nuclear and CCS are among the least effective technologies for mitigating climate change. Equating them with renewables, with can be built much faster and cheaper will delay decarbonisation and lead to higher energy prices for european industry.

The industrial transformation will provide significant co-benefits for air quality and reaching the non-toxic environment and circularity goals, the report lacks re-affirmation to those goals.  Re-defining the “EU’s objective” as holistic and zero pollution aligned will be key, but  there is no single mention of EU industry to be a solutions provider to sustainable water services, food production or other life essential services, the lack of clarification as whether “strategically important sectors” are indeed compatible with sustainable production and addressing the triple planetary crisis is a clear shortcoming of the Draghi report.

Increasing security and reducing dependencies

Diversifying the EU’s raw materials supply chains is vital to European industrial policy, but it necessitates ongoing dialogue, collaboration, investment as well as financial and technological transfers to make partnering with the EU an attractive endeavour based on benefit-sharing. Additionally, the EU should ensure partnerships involve binding due diligence measures, public participation, free, prior and informed consent, as well as transparency mechanisms to ensure partnerships lead to urgently needed race to the top for extractive activities.

Crucially, increasing the security of supply cannot be accomplished without active demand-side reduction initiatives. While circularity, recycling, and resource efficiency are important aspects, sufficiency measures are often overlooked in discussions about supply security. Yet, sufficiency – reducing overall consumption – is the most powerful lever for increasing security and reducing dependency.

Financing investments

The EU lacks both sufficient funds and a coordinated mechanism across Member States to have an efficient industrial policy. The report highlighted this by mentioning the need for massive financing needs and for new joint funding. Private finance will be key to unleash investments, but it will not only be far from sufficient to bring in the required level of finance to secure a green and social transition in Europe, but it is also problematic  leading to market concentration and boosting private profit.

Public investment is not only essential to plug the gaps but critical to direct effectively where that investment should be going. This is why we are arguing that the only way forward to solve Europe’s multiple and interconnected crises (climate, nature, social inequality) and weak economy is to set up a permanent EU investment instrument of at least 1.6% of EU GDP per year to for Member States to invest in sectors of critical importance for the transition to a wellbeing economy and safe planet.

Source – EEB via email

 

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