Ursula von der Leyen has placed Mario Draghi’s recommendations at the core of her agenda for her second term as European Commission president. While her political program—presented to the European Parliament for endorsement earlier this year—largely incorporates Draghi’s key proposals, it notably excludes joint EU borrowing.
During her presentation of the new Commission team to the European Parliament on Wednesday, von der Leyen revealed a prominent initiative for the next five years: a “competitiveness compass.” The aim of this initiative is to close the innovation gap with the United States, decarbonize the EU economy, and boost economic autonomy. Each commissioner has been tasked with contributing to these overarching goals.
Although her remarks lacked detailed specifics, the more tangible aspect of this plan involves ongoing efforts to establish a dedicated group of officials. This team will include individuals from the small circle that collaborated with Draghi on his report, ensuring its recommendations are effectively implemented while maintaining confidentiality.
The exact design and structure of this task force are still under development, with the new Commission set to commence on December 1. It is expected that this group will operate within the Commission’s secretariat-general, placing it at the core of the EU executive. This positioning would enable direct reporting to von der Leyen herself, ensuring the initiative’s strategic importance is upheld.
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