Brussels aims to introduce numerous economic laws and bureaucracy reduction measures this year. Criticism of the plans comes from a business-friendly German party.
Strasbourg (dpa) – The European Commission aims to boost the economy in Europe and reduce bureaucracy this year with several concrete legislative proposals. Among other things, three so-called omnibus packages are intended to review and simplify environmental and investment regulations, as noted by the Commission in its work program for 2025 presented in Strasbourg. While environmentalists fear that standards could also be lowered in the process, the Commission promises to maintain high standards and goals.
Criticism from German Liberals
Member of the European Parliament for Germany’s Free Democrats (FDP), Svenja Hahn, sees a “flood of new laws” in the work program. She criticizes: “The Commission seriously believes it can solve the problem of over-regulation with even more regulation.” There are 123 open legislative proposals from the previous legislative period being pursued, along with 45 new initiatives and packages. It is unclear how a reduction in bureaucracy is to be achieved if the Commission does not plan substantial deregulation. The German Trade Association (HDV) sees the work program as “predominantly positive.”
Center-Right feels represented
The Commission, led by German Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen, also gains support from fellow party member Daniel Caspary. The Commission is setting the right priorities, he noted. Particularly the announced omnibus procedures for reducing bureaucracy are essential. Fundamentally, the center-right alliance EPP, which includes the German conservative sister parties CDU and CSU, sees many of its initiatives represented in the work program. (February 12)
