Enhancing the competitiveness of the EU and its single market

A discussion between Friedrich Merz and Enrico Letta on the future path of the EU and its single market

Europe is facing the challenge of restoring its competitiveness and finding its place in a rapidly changing and increasingly hostile world. In defining the right strategy, two things seem clear: the single market is Europe's strongest asset, and Germany, as the biggest economy and the largest member state, has a key role to play. But what does this mean for the EU and its economic and institutional reform agenda? How can Germany's leadership foster a stronger Europe that, in turn, strengthens Germany itself?

The CDU’s Federal Chairman and Candidate for Chancellor Friedrich Merz will discuss with Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy and EU Rapporteur on the future path of the EU and its single market.

A discussion featuring two leading figures in European politics. Moderated by the President of the Hertie School Cornelia Woll, with opening remarks by Johannes Lindner, Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre.

[aliceb]

The most depressing exchange ever. Poor Europe. While Letta wants to forbid the term cross border within EU, Germany refuses mergers, refuses to reconsider common funding policies, has no vision, is crounched on himself, all thw while feeling very self secure. Talks that go nowehere. How will Europe wake up?

[novrloop]

I just want to point out that due to European anti-trust regulations, having a consolidation in the industries to just 4 giant corporates will also undermine innovation. Since EU anti-trust regulations are market-share based and not costumer-harm based, that means if one corporate creates an extremely competitive breakthrough, it would not market it as aggressive because their competitors would sue them as a monopoly.

Second, you talk about competitiveness but unlike with individuals with human rights, there is no mechanism entrepreneurs have to fight back against bureaucratic overreach and regulatory capture of the state. Europe is RIDDLED with regulatory capture in almost any industry and at every level. Ranging from standards, compliance requirements, pocket-vetoes of regulators or just obstinate bureaucrats.

Companies have to deal with every single regulation ever created and we have no method to keep the government accountable for bad laws and regulations other than vent on social media.

There's no ombudsman to complain that regulations are unnecessarily obstructing economic activity. Yet, if the state violates my human rights I can go to the courts and they can strike down the law that created this violation.