A campaign group claims that plans outlined recently by the European Commission “will boost corporate power.”
Campaigners allege that the Commission’s Single Market Strategy communication will “limit the democratic space that national and local authorities need to protect people and the environment.”
The Commission’s plans were launched in the context of what Brussels-based group, Corporate Europe Observatory, claims has been “an unprecedented deregulation wave, under the banner of pursuing competitiveness.”
CEO says,
“Since the start of the second VDL Commission this has led to a radical rollback of the EU’s corporate supply chain laws (via an Omnibus package), with laws on chemicals, digital rights, agriculture, and many other issues lined up for similar treatment.”
It goes on,
“The Commission’s Single Market Strategy is full of fingerprints from corporate lobbying campaigns.”
The CEO statement states,
“The communication includes a particularly worrying proposal for a so-called ‘28th Regime’, which would enable a to be defined range of companies to opt out of national labour law and instead operate under lower EU-wide standards.
“The Commission also announces a cross cutting Single Market omnibus and a wide range of other measures that are described as ‘simplification’ but have a clear deregulation agenda. The goal is to remove differences in national-level regulations that create ‘regulatory barriers’ to trade in the Single Market; many of these differences, however, are entirely legitimate rules that exist to address societal problems.”
Olivier Hoedeman, Corporate Europe Observatory coordinator, says,
“The new ‘Single Market Strategy’ will further limit the democratic space that governments need to protect people and the environment, giving industry far-reaching powers to veto and roll back national and municipal regulations. This is dangerous in times of growing social inequality, accelerating ecological crisis and deepening concerns about democracy.”
Further comment comes from Kenneth Haar, Corporate Europe Observatory researcher and campaigner, who stated,
“In the light of the radical deregulation mood in the Commission headquarters, strong guarantees to protect the public interest are needed to prevent Single Market single-mindedness from destroying crucial environmental measures and protect social rights.”
However, the commission has won strong support from elsewhere for the EU Startup and Scale-up Strategy.
Even so, SMEunited President Petri Salminen warned that Europe
“can no longer afford to see its most promising innovative companies scale up in the USA or Asia”.
His organisation represents SMEs at the pan-EU level.
He added,
“We welcome this new strategy, which rightly highlights the existing shortcomings. But its success will ultimately depend on real progress in strengthening the Single Market, improving regulation, and advancing the Capital Markets Union”.
SMEunited says it
Comments
9 responses to “Mixed Reactions to New EU Single Market Plans”
Seems like the EU’s new single market plans are just what we need to ensure that only the big boys have a say while the rest of us can enjoy the lovely view from the sidelines. 🤑
Looks like the EU’s idea of a “Single Market” is just a fancy way of saying, “let’s let corporations run wild while we pretend to care about democracy and the environment.” Brilliant, innit? 😏
Looks like the EU’s got a new plan to redefine “democracy” as a corporate playground—what’s next, a theme park for lobbyists? 🎢
Brilliant, just what we need—more corporate power dressed up as a “Single Market Strategy.” Who needs democracy when you can have a deregulated playground for the big boys, right? 😂
Oh, brilliant! Just what we need—a masterclass in how to let corporations run wild while democracy takes a backseat. 🚗💨 Let’s all hold hands and sing “Kumbaya” as we deregulate our way to a brighter future! 🙄
So, let me get this straight—Brussels wants to ‘simplify’ things by giving corporations a free pass to bypass local laws? Brilliant! Because who needs pesky regulations when you can just roll out the red carpet for the big boys, right? 🙄🏙️
Sounds like the EU’s latest market plans are just what we needed – a grand buffet of corporate power served on a plate of democratic breadcrumbs. Hope they don’t forget the side of environmental neglect while they’re at it! 😏🍽️
Typical EU, isn’t it? Just when you think they couldn’t possibly make it harder to breathe, they unveil a masterclass in corporate karaoke – let’s just sing along to the deregulation tune, shall we? 🎤💼
So, the EU is giving corporations a shiny new toy to play with while we all just sit back and sip our lattes, eh? Can’t wait to see how they “simplify” our rights next! 🍵😏
Last News
Enhancing Your Company’s Reputation Through Thought Leadership Articles
London, July 02, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Thought Leadership Articles are becoming an increasingly important tool for businesses seeking to strengthen their reputation, build credibility, and establish long-term trust with customers and industry stakeholders. As companies compete for visibility in crowded markets, publishing expert-driven content is emerging as a practical strategy to demons
Scientology Volunteers Deliver Crucial Humanitarian Aid After Natural Disasters in Venezuela
In response to recent natural disasters in Venezuela, nearly 400 Volunteer Ministers from the Scientology organization have been deployed between Caracas and La Guaira to provide aid in the form of supplies, rescue coordination, and emotional support. This effort, coordinated with several branches of the Church of Scientology and allied rescue organizations, has become one of the largest humanita
German Coalition Leaders Agree on Tax Reform Deal to Regain Popularity
The chancellor’s approval ratings have declined significantly, reflecting the decreasing popularity of his coalition government. Only 12 percent of Germans expressed satisfaction with the government’s performance in last month’s ARD Deutschlandtrend survey. At the same time, the AfD is leading national opinion polls and holds a substantial lead in two eastern German states with u
Why Companies with Strong Reputations Bounce Back Quicker from Market Challenges
London, July 02, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Businesses with Strong Reputations are proving more resilient as companies across multiple industries continue to navigate economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, changing consumer behavior, and evolving market conditions. Industry analysts say organizations that have consistently invested in customer trust, transparency, and service quality
Ultrasound-Enhanced Espresso Preparation
A traditional espresso is made by forcing boiling water through finely ground coffee under high pressure, a process taking roughly 30 seconds and requiring substantial heat energy. Researchers have developed a novel method using high-frequency sound waves to make coffee, resulting in a beverage with the richness of standard espresso, prepared in under three minutes, and using up to 75% less energ
Implications of Burnham for Kemi, Nigel, Ed, and Zack
Andy Burnham might soon be stepping into Downing Street, but what implications does this have for others in the political arena? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy explore the potential impact on figures like Kemi, Nigel, Ed, and Zack as Britain possibly prepares for a new prime minister.
Consequences of Missing a Companies House Filing Deadline for Your UK Company
London, July 01, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — UK company filing deadline compliance remains one of the most important legal responsibilities for directors of limited companies. Missing a filing deadline with Companies House can trigger financial penalties, damage a company’s compliance record, and, in serious cases, lead to compulsory strike-off proceedings. Business advisers continue to encoura
Why Are Medicines Scarce Across Europe?
A parent is informed that the antibiotic their child requires is unavailable. A cancer patient is shifted to an alternative treatment due to the usual medication being inaccessible. A pharmacist spends a significant portion of their day contacting wholesalers instead of advising patients. When people inquire about medicine unavailability, they are not merely questioning logistics. They wonder why
MEPs to Protect Colleague’s Immunity Amid Concerns About Bulgaria’s EU Prosecutor
Prosecutors claimed that Kyuchyuk employed parliamentary assistants who performed duties for the national party in Sofia instead of working for him as an MEP, violating Parliament’s regulations, according to information from two anonymous sources.
These allegations resemble the case against France’s Marine Le Pen, who was found guilty of misusing European Parliament funds by employing assistants a
Closing a UK Limited Company: A Guide to the Voluntary Strike-Off Process
London, July 01, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — How to Close a UK Limited Company is a question many directors ask when a business has stopped trading or is no longer needed. For eligible companies, the voluntary strike-off process offers a legal and cost-effective way to remove a company from the UK register. However, directors must follow strict legal requirements before submitting an applicatio
Leave a Reply