Responding to the fears expressed by MEPs about the European Commission’s proposals in its 2025 work programme on Wednesday 12 February in Strasbourg, and more specifically about the simplification of several pieces of legislation, the Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations, Maroš Šefčovič, reiterated that “simplification does not mean deregulation”.
While some groups in the European Parliament have welcomed the European Commission’s desire for “simplification”, which has been the subject of a separate communication (see other news), others remain sceptical and are warning against the reopening of certain texts, fearing that previously adopted legislation will be “unravelled”.
This is particularly true of the Socialists and Democrats and the European Greens/EFA, who believe that simplifying existing legislative texts is not the solution in the face of “a lack of clear vision” on the part of the Commission to encourage innovation and investment to boost European competitiveness.
On 26 February, the Commission intends to present an initial ‘omnibus’ package aimed at simplifying three texts relating to sustainability (see EUROPE 13577/21). In its communication, it therefore calls on the European Parliament and the Council to consider “fast-tracking these files, acting on the simplification proposals without reopening other parts of the legislation, to provide maximum and swift clarity and relief to companies”.
Avoiding opening Pandora’s box. However, several MEPs regretted that the Commission did not involve Parliament more closely in the design of these new measures.
The Renew Europe group was the one that most insisted on the need for a process of upstream discussions between the groups that supported the re-election of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“What is the Commission’s working method? Why does it seem that one group has more information than others? (...) There are also many concerns about the majorities that will emerge. However, the only majority that counts is the ‘von der Leyen’ majority, and the President has a responsibility to ensure that the majority that elected her lives on”, said Valérie Hayer, Group Chair, during a debate at the plenary session.
According to one source, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, did not encourage any preliminary work between the European Parliament groups that supported her (EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA).
The centrists and liberals fear that without these discussions, the Commission will “open Pandora’s box”, allowing the far right and the conservative right to roll back a number of environmental and social standards.
In the corridors of Parliament, a number of elected representatives recall the episode of legislation on nature restoration, which left a bitter taste (see EUROPE 13398/8).
However, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, responsible for implementation and simplification, has indicated that he has held a series of meetings with MEPs to map out the simplification agenda for the first ‘omnibus’ package.
“We need co-legislators on board. Both the Council and the European Parliament. And we also want the co-legislators to give priority to simplification proposals so that we can make rapid progress”, he stated in a press conference.
Maroš Šefčovič also mentioned the importance of “working together” and indicated that it would be useful for the various co-legislators to provide their own impact assessments on the major amendments proposed.
Absence of Ursula von der Leyen. During the plenary debate, several MEPs also expressed their irritation at the absence of President von der Leyen.
On this point, Mr Šefčovič recalled that it was customary for the programme to be presented by the Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations, and emphasised the respect of the President and the entire Commission for the parliamentary institution, as well as “the special relationship” that she maintains with it.
To see the Commission’s work programme: https://aeur.eu/f/fgp
To see its communication on simplification: https://aeur.eu/f/fgs (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)