The new doctrine of Ursula von der Leyen, developed under the high supervision of a Germano-Italian axis, is evolving into a nightmare for Greece and national sovereignty, preparing the definitive end of the "Europe of 27." Behind the closed doors of the Alden Biesen castle in Brussels, a scene of "economic apartheid" is being set, where the concept of solidarity is discarded. This shock plan for a two-tier Europe is no longer a theoretical threat but a blunt reality dubbed "pragmatic federalism." Von der Leyen, in complete alignment with Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni, is promoting "enhanced cooperation" only for the powerful, leaving Greece at the mercy of an "à la carte" integration that reeks of isolation.
As Brussels consumes itself with zombie initiatives, the Berlin-Rome axis is imposing an "emergency brake" mechanism, placing the Commission and the Parliament under the oversight of a select few. For Athens, the message is clear and terrifying: either follow the dictates of the "rich" as a satellite or sink into the swamp of a mutilated Single Market. Bankingnews reveals the facets of a plan that turns the EU into a closed power club, where Greece risks becoming a permanent spectator of developments.
A thin line
Specifically, the European Commission has long been walking a tightrope to strengthen the "Old Continent's" competitiveness, a factor critical to the Union's independence. The main point appears to be "enhanced cooperation" between member states—à la carte solutions among agreeing capitals, rather than involving all 27 members. In the letter sent by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to leaders ahead of the "retiro" (strategic planning session) on competitiveness this Thursday, convened by European Council President António Costa at Alden Biesen castle, it is clearly explained that the "ambition" is for all 27 states to move forward, but if necessary, the possibility offered by the Treaties for "enhanced cooperation"—meaning advanced integration with just nine member states—will be utilized.
This same position is supported by Mario Draghi in the Competitiveness Report, which he recently reintroduced under the formula of "pragmatic federalism." The former Italian Prime Minister will participate in the meeting at Alden Biesen, while former Prime Minister Enrico Letta, author of the report on the Single Market, will intervene in the afternoon session. The goal of the "retiro" is to produce an agenda with specific commitments after years of discussions on completing the Single Market, the Capital Markets Union, or the Energy Union. On one hand, there is a need for simplification, speed, and modernization; on the other, there is the complex but democratic decision-making process that recognizes a role for every EU institution and often gets "stuck."
The Italo-German bloc
Recently, certain states, led by Germany, expressed annoyance with the European Parliament over decisions regarding Mercosur and the simplification of "green rules" for businesses. With Donald Trump in the White House causing tension in transatlantic relations and significant elections on the horizon (spring in Hungary, next year in France, Italy, and Poland), chancelleries no longer seem inclined toward mediation. Germany and Italy made this clear in the competitiveness document agreed upon during the Merz-Meloni bilateral meeting in Rome on January 23.
A pre-summit followed on Thursday with the support of Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, involving many countries including France—a presence not taken for granted, as Rome has replaced Paris in the discreet relationship with Berlin. This shift was noted in Brussels. Wide participation is expected, including the Netherlands, Nordic and Baltic countries, and Poland. In the extensive Italy-Germany document, the proposal for simplification is striking, essentially suggesting that the Commission and the Parliament be placed under state "oversight" in the name of legislative efficiency.
For Rome and Berlin, there is an urgent need for "decoupling," which translates to withdrawing many Commission initiatives that have frozen in legislative processes and are labeled "zombie initiatives." They also demand "systematic monitoring and evaluation of amendments proposed by co-legislators (Parliament and Council) to determine if changes create additional costs or violate the principles of subsidiarity, proportionality, and competence." An "emergency brake mechanism" is even envisioned to intervene when legislative activity causes concern about "additional administrative costs for businesses and national authorities." Furthermore, it is clarified that "simplification is a matter for heads of state or government," and Von der Leyen is requested to "inform the European Council from now on." The topics of the "retiro" are numerous: from a 28th European regime for registering start-ups to the unification of financial markets and investments in Artificial Intelligence.
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