Séjourné’s discussion over the Competitiveness Compass splits the political groups in Strasbourg

The Competitiveness Compass splits political groups at the European Parliament, gathered in plenary session in Strasbourg later this week. 

Simplify, Invest and Accelerate: these are the 3 words chosen by the Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, to present the Competitiveness Compass in front of the Strasbourg hemicycle.

“This initiative sets the objective to make European industries more competitive – explained Séjourné -. We need pragmatism and flexibility in achieving this goal, and also simplification and investment to face both current and future crises”. 

Séjourné’s presentation focused on “the combination of decarbonization and competitiveness through the Clean Industrial Deal, with a focus on energy, access to raw materials and the securitisation of supply chain”. In this context, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission also mentioned the possibility of reproducing, refocusing, and possibly, reopening mines in Europe to produce raw materials.

“Also fill the European Union’s delay in terms of innovation will be of crucial importance – underlined Séjourné – alongside with the consolidation of the supply value chains and strengthening all elements of economic security”. 

And as is often the case when it comes to industry and environment – subjects made even more topical by the U.S. administration’s “threats” – the Strasbourg hemicycle has divided, between those who support the rationale behind the Compass and those who, like the Patriots for Europe, also called for the abolition of the Green Deal. 

“We criticize the focus on climate policies, Europe’s competitiveness is being eroded by burdensome regulations and taxes dictated by the Green Deal” explained the MEPs led by the French Chair of the group Jordan Bardella, advocating for abolishing the Green Deal all together and focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation. The European Conservatives and Reformists Group, furthermore, acknowledged the statements made by the Commissioner and advocated for deregulation to promote economic vitality. They also emphasized the need for innovative entrepreneurship and a dynamic and competitive market. 

The Left, Greens and Renew Europe chose instead to focus on maintain strong ambitions in the Green Deal to ensure long-term competitiveness and environmental health, emphasizing the need for harmonized rules between Member States and investments to unlock Europe’s economic potential. 

The European People’s Party, on the other hand, stressed the importance of reducing bureaucracy and enhancing competitive capacities without resorting to excessive centralization; while the Socialists and Democrats highlighted the urgency of the need for joint European financial efforts to help industries transition and grow, through investments geared towards green technologies and sustainable economic practices.

As far as industry is concerned, therefore, Europe continues to be divided between environmentalist positions and those who call for a deregulation that promotes market productivity. And while discussions about the Green Deal and the Competitiveness Compass continue, shifting the gaze overseas begs the question: will it be Trump the one who benefits from Eu internal divisions?