EU Commission President faces criticism over strategic clarity and bureaucracy

Ursula von der Leyen’s recent EU address has faced criticism regarding its lack of strategic depth and concrete implementation plans. Observers noted that while the speech addressed critical themes such as artificial intelligence, security, and industrial policy, it functioned more as a checklist of challenges rather than a cohesive roadmap with clear financial logic and measurable goals.

In Germany, the Union parliamentary group (CDU/CSU) is calling for significant structural changes within EU institutions. Thorsten Frei, chairman of the Union group, has advocated for reducing bureaucracy by cutting staff in European institutions, arguing that ‘less bureaucracy needs fewer bureaucrats.’ The group is pushing for the EU to focus on its core competencies and to prioritize competitiveness in all legislative processes.

Additionally, there are calls for stricter measures against unfair competition, particularly from China. Tilman Kuban, the group’s European policy spokesperson, suggested a reversal of the burden of proof, where Chinese manufacturers would be required to disclose cost calculations upon suspicion of dumping to maintain access to the European market.