On Tuesday 21 October, the European Commission unveiled its work programme for 2026, which was warmly welcomed by the European Parliament.
The President, Ursula von der Leyen, said that harmonisation “cannot wait”. This is why the Commission is setting clear political deadlines to “unleash the potential of the Single Market by 2028”. A full programme of initiatives is planned. They range from an ambitious 28th regime to the completion of the Savings and Investments Union, via a new ‘Omnibus’ package of measures on legislative simplification, said the President (https://aeur.eu/f/j2s ). She also highlighted new initiatives in batteries, cloud services and artificial intelligence, quantum technology, advanced materials and many other technologies (see EUROPE 13731/14).
Maroš Šefčovič, the Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations, believed that the results of the debates with the European Parliament were “well reflected” in this work programme for 2026, which is “one of the most ambitious”.
Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, Dutch) welcomed this “essential roadmap”. He acknowledged that the proposals on migration are already on the table and that “it is up to us in this Assembly to finally reach an agreement”.
Mr Lenaers praised the initiatives such as the 28th regime, the simplification of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the creation of a Savings and Investment Union.
The EPP insisted that there should be no fear of withdrawing certain proposals or existing legislation and that “any new legislation must be carefully thought through”.
Mr Lenaers said he appreciated the fact that the work programme now explicitly mentions the drone defence initiative. He also welcomed the strengthening of Europol and Frontex.
Iratxe García Pérez (S&D, Spanish) was delighted that a large part of the European Commission’s work programme “bears the social democratic stamp”. In her view, this is proof that “dialogue, cooperation and compromise between pro-European forces produce concrete results for citizens”. In particular, she highlighted the measures set out in the European Affordable Housing Plan, as well as the revision of State aid rules so that “municipalities can build public housing without concerns of being penalised”. The S&D group also cited the future European law on quality employment, including legislative proposals to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The Renew Europe group claimed that this work programme was “a step in the right direction”. Valérie Hayer cited the 28th regime, the European preference, the simplification of the Single Market and the Capital Markets Union, the strengthening of Europol’s mandate and the recruitment of the 30,000 border guards promised since 2019.
Klára Dostálová (PfE, Czech) said that the same problems persist and criticised the Commission’s concept of ‘Europe’s Independence Moment’.
Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA, French) insisted on the need not to deregulate with “a new wave of ‘omnibuses’”, but to accelerate the green transformation with social justice. “We are delighted to see the inclusion of a project to adapt to climate disruption and accelerate action to promote energy efficiency”, she added.
To see the work programme and its appendices: https://aeur.eu/f/j27 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)