EU leaders look for ‘landing zone’ for competitiveness deal

EUROPEAN presidents and prime ministers meet on Thursday (Oct 17) and Friday for the last time before next month’s US presidential election. Yet, with geopolitical challenges raging, it is economic issues that are at the fore, even as the European Union prepares for a change of power in Washington.

On top of the agenda is boosting European competitiveness following the landmark reports by two former Italian prime ministers, Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, to try to revitalise the EU’s economy. Most of the 27 heads of state are determined to strengthen the bloc’s long-term competitiveness and to improve economic and social well-being, but there is not yet alignment on the road map to do this.

Amid the wars in Ukraine and Israel, this conundrum may be European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s most pressing task, at the end of 2024, as she and other leaders seek the “landing ground” for a deal.