Storm clouds gather as European leaders meet

EUROPEAN Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had planned for her second term of office, which began last December, to focus squarely on the competitiveness agenda to boost the EU economy. However, geopolitical challenges are fast crowding out her freedom of action.

This stark fact will be shown, yet again, this week (Jun 26-27) at the latest European Council meeting of 27 presidents and prime ministers from across the bloc. Economic competitiveness is last but one (item six of seven) on the agenda following adoption of the agenda; Ukraine; Middle East; European defence and security; and the EU in the world.

As European Council President Antonio Costa has highlighted, the goal of building a more competitive Europe has not become less important for von der Leyen. This economic agenda remains key to her political legacy and she would still like to deliver on much more of the agenda highlighted in last September’s major competitiveness report released by former Italian prime minister and ex-European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi.