STRASBOURG – The newly-elected European Parliament has given the green light for Ursula von der Leyen to remain President of the European Commission for the next five years at today’s plenary session. The candidacy of von der Leyen, a German politician from the European People’s Party, for the second term at the helm of the Commission, was backed by 401 votes in a secret ballot, whereas 284 members of the EP voted against it, 15 abstained from the voting and 7 ballot papers were declared void. A total of 707 MEPs voted.
The vote was seen as a crucial moment for Ursula von der Leyen, because if she had failed the “test” in Parliament, i.e. if she had failed to get at least 361 votes out of a total of 720 MEPs, European leaders would have a month to choose another candidate for Commission President. It is believed that the backing of some MEPs from the Green group was a “tipping point”, in addition to the “yes” votes by the majority of the MEPS from the EPP, S&D, and “Renew Europe” (liberals) groups. On the other hand, the MEPs from the right and far-right groups in the EP voted against her re-election.
“Rule of law will be at the heart of our work”
Stressing the importance of protecting “all parts of our democracy”, Ursula von der Leyen said that the EC will protect the free media and civil society.
“Respecting the rule of law is a must for EU funds. In this budget, and in the future, with the conditionality mechanism. It is non-negotiable. Because this is the core of our European way of life”, she underlined.
A Commissioner for the Mediterranean region will be appointed
In her speech, Ursula von der Leyen also referred to the need for even stronger protection of the EU’s internal and external borders, so that the EU’s migration policy would be “better structured and fairer”. Therefore, she announced that a Commissioner for the Mediterranean region would be appointed.
Also announced:
Exciting News for European Startups and Scaleups! 28th regime
In a bold move towards fostering innovation and economic growth, the newly elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced a groundbreaking initiative: “I will propose a new EU-wide legal status to help innovative companies grow: a so-called 28th regime to allow companies to benefit from a simpler, harmonized set of rules in certain areas.” This marks a significant step towards creating a more unified and accessible business environment for startups and scaleups across Europe.
🔍 Understanding the 28th Regime 🔍
The 28th regime aims to provide a uniform legal framework that transcends the existing 27 national regimes within the European Union.
Startup Europe initiative from the European Commission has been working on this concept since 2011: https://shorturl.at/KIN2E
The Letta Report emphasizes the need for such a regime to bridge the gap between ideals and action. Delve deeper into the insights of this report here https://shorturl.at/rqdEN.
Similarly, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) highlights the potential benefits of the 28th regime in its opinion piece. Read more about their stance here: https://shorturl.at/zwGUF
📈 Why the 28th Regime Matters for Startups and Scaleups 📈
For startups and scaleups, navigating the complex regulatory landscape of 27 different legal systems can be daunting. The 28th regime promises to simplify this process by:
Reducing Administrative Burdens: A single set of rules will cut down the time and resources spent on compliance, allowing businesses to focus on innovation and growth.
Enhancing Market Access: With harmonized regulations, startups can easily expand across borders, tapping into new markets without extensive legal adjustments.
Encouraging Investment: A predictable regulatory environment attracts investors, increasing funding opportunities for innovative ventures.
Promoting Fair Competition: A level playing field ensures that startups from all member states have equal opportunities to thrive.
📢 Call to Action: Join the Movement! 📢
The success of the 28th regime depends on the collective effort of the entire European innovation ecosystem. We invite the community gathered around Startup Europe, notably the EC/acc Wake Up Europe movement (https://eu-acc.com/), to contribute with concrete implementation ideas. Your insights and experiences are invaluable in shaping a regime that meets the needs of our diverse startup landscape. Join the conversation and make your voice heard here.
Together, let’s pave the way for a more innovative, competitive, and unified Europe. The 28th regime is not just a policy proposal; it’s a vision for the future of European entrepreneurship. Let’s make it a reality!
EUinnovation Startups Scaleups Entrepreneurship 28thRegime SingleMarket EuropeanCommission WakeUpEurope Innovation BusinessGrowth
