In a report published on Monday 3 June, a number of experts from the European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) put forward recommendations for better integration of the Single Market. They condemn the legal fragmentation that is holding back innovation and productivity. The authors of the report also point to nationalist and protectionist tendencies in the EU in recent years.
According to the authors of the report, differences in labour market rules and taxation systems within the Member States are a particular hindrance to the business world. They suggest harmonising fiscal and social policies, in terms of rules rather than contributions or tax rates.
Another suggestion is to tighten up the monitoring of internal market rules. According to the authors, this could be done by means of a single body to implement the rules at European level.
They are also looking into an idea that has already been put forward regarding institutional reforms: that of getting certain volunteer countries to move forward together on certain issues, rather than having to systematically move forward as a group of all 27 members. This approach could facilitate the integration of the internal market, says ECIPE.
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/ci2 (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)