Brussels–This morning, Mario Draghi presented the report “The Future of European Competitiveness”, which garnered broad support for the proposals put forward, deemed pragmatic and fundamental to the future of the EU.
Starting with the authoritative endorsement of the current European commissioner for economic affairs, Paolo Gentiloni: “Mario Draghi’s message must be listened to” is the appeal launched by the former Dem secretary to the leaders of the European institutions. Camilla Laureti, PD MEP and vice-chair of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, is satisfied and reiterates the urgency of action, “the danger is a slow agony of the Union.” The MEP stresses the importance of integration to continue with the previous model of Next Generation EU, with joint investments to ensure that the EU is competitive and green.
Nicola Zingaretti, head of the delegation of PD MEPs, recalls that Draghi’s plan of proposals “points the right way forward for the future of Europe and is a healthy whip on the laziness and omissions of nation-states.” Both MEPs say they are ready to take action in the European Parliament to make the former Central Bank president’s proposals a reality. Brando Benifei, a PD MEP and coordinator of the S&D Group in the International Trade Commission, sees the high-tech sector as the great divider between the European and US economies, which is why it is necessary to “accelerate public and private investment in technological innovation in Europe.” The goal is not to be crushed by global competition while staying true to its own model of AI development.
Manfred Weber, chairman of the EPP group, thanked the president for his analysis and stressed that “gaining Europe’s economic competitiveness is crucial for our future.” It is essential to reduce bureaucracy by strengthening Europe’s economic apparatus and the Single Market through innovation with “bold steps and a rapid strategy.”
Sandro Gozi, secretary general of the European Democratic Party and a member of the Renew presidency, gives full support to Draghi’s proposal, adding that it is now up to President von der Leyen to incorporate the report’s suggestions into her agenda. The goal for Gozi is clear: “transform the EU into a truly sovereign, democratic, and competitive power.”
The voice of Pasquale Tridico, head of the 5 Star Movement delegation to the European Parliament, is out of the chorus. “Draghi flunks Draghi” summarises the position expressed on the report, regarded as “a lucid indictment against neoliberal policies,” which Draghi, according to Tridico, has never opposed. The strengthening of the European budget is shareable, but to prevent Europe from collapsing on itself, “austerity, war economy, and neoliberal and sovereignist policies” must be avoided.
The President of Eurochambres, Vladimír Dlouhý, comments by noting the profound analysis of the critical EU competitiveness issues, including the fragmentation of the United Market and skills shortages. It is expected, however, that “the next mission letters for the commissioners-designate will need to provide much more information” on how to realise the proposed pragmatic solutions.
Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope, thinks the report will have a “fundamental role in shaping future EU strategies and policies.” Concern is expressed about the economic future of Europe, which is limping behind its global competitors, and much attention is paid to the call for a renewed industrial strategy, which will have to focus on market forces “rather than excessive public intervention.”
A note of satisfaction also came from the pharmaceutical industry, as reported in a statement by Nathalie Moll, director general of EFPIA, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations.
The representatives of FoodDrinkEurope
lament the lack of mention of the “largest European manufacturing sector, the European food and beverage industry.” The lack of depth in this sector makes one wonder how much the report reflects the reality of European industry. However, they acknowledge the validity of the recommendations on competitiveness, which will have to be implemented as soon as possible, lest this report become “yet another paper tiger.”
An alternative view is that of Christian Schaible, head of “Zero Pollution Industry” at the EEB, the European Environmental Bureau. Schaible is not convinced that the way forward for Europe’s competitive future lies in stoking geopolitical tensions with China and the United States but in “leading a global transformation” in the green arena. The green transition must be done right, through a coordinated industrial policy that does not have competitiveness as its driver value, “but the protection of the planet and its inhabitants.”
For now, it seems that the Draghi report has garnered positive reactions. Expectations on President von der Leyen compound these to see how the proposals that are supposed to enable Europe “not to lose ground” will be integrated and fleshed out.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
