Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. CLICK HERE FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE We have an internal market in financial services, we have consumers, and we have a lot of EU firms and projects that need financing. And financial education is the silver bullet to let the money roll. Sounds familiar? Yes, it's been tried before, but unfortunately teaching high school students about compound interest and about mortgage loans hasn't really clicked. So, this time the Commission is going to do the clicking themselves, creating a network of financial literacy ambassadors. Think of the finfluencers that you have seen on Instagram or TikTok, but without the sales pitch. All joking aside, the fact that this package is not a new law but only a recommendation for Member States, shows…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. FIRST OMNIBUS AGREEMENT, BUT NOT THE LAST Habemus Omnibus! This week, Member States and the Parliament reached their first agreement on one of the Commission’s six “simplification” packages so far: Omnibus II, dedicated to the InvestEU program. The agreement increases the EU guarantee by €2.9 billion, which is expected to mobilize at least €50 billion in additional investments while claiming to reduce administrative burden for companies and national authorities. However, this is only a first step. Five other Omnibus packages are still under discussion (on defence, food and agriculture, medium-sized companies, and chemicals) and two more are pending. The new initiatives include an environmental Omnibus, expected in late 2025, which could significantly change landmarks laws such as the Empowering Consumers Directive.…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. ALBANIA’S AMBITIOUS SPRINT TO ACCESSION Sprinting toward EU membership this week, Albania officially opened its fourth negotiation cluster, covering transport, energy, trans-European networks and environmental protection. This brings the total number of clusters opened in less than a year to five out of six. The total number of EU acquis chapters completed increased to 28 out of 33, a pace that Brussels calls "impressive." The Commission has praised Albania’s reforms, ranging from anti-corruption efforts to judicial modernization. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos noted that Tirana demonstrates how bold leadership can deliver tangible change. The remaining chapters, including agriculture and regional cohesion, are set to open by the end of the year, with the goal of concluding technical negotiations by 2027. If progress…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. STATE OF THE DISUNION In what has become a ritualized political spectacle, Ursula von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, laying out her priorities for the year ahead. She touched on topics ranging from competitiveness to Gaza and the housing crisis to climate change. However, by trying to speak to everyone, she may have satisfied no one. EPP leader Manfred Weber accused the left of sabotaging trade deals, while S&D’s leader Iratxe García Pérez in return branded him the “main enemy” of von der Leyen’s fragile coalition. Caught in the middle, Renew rolled its eyes at what Valérie Hayer dismissed as a “pathetic spectacle,” urging the Commission President to step up as referee before her majority crumbles.…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. MERCOSUR: CHEAP BEEF, EXPENSIVE FOR THE PLANET The Commission has finally unveiled the legal texts for the long-delayed -and much dreaded-Mercosur trade pact, setting the stage for a ratification battle that could prove damaging for the EU’s reputation. The agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay promises to increase EU exports by 39% and provide cheaper access to critical raw materials, such as lithium and niobium. However, there is fierce opposition: NGOs warn that the deal with four of the Mercosur countries will lead to increased deforestation and undermine EU climate goals. They also regret the Commission's strategy to sneak the deal through by taking the political part out, so that the “interim trade agreement” can be adopted without a unanimity…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. FROM THE BEACH TO THE BERLAYMONT It must have been a busy summer at the Commission’s Berlaymont HQ. While you were at the beach, decisions on key strategic documents should have been finalised in Brussels. Until now, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been keeping her cards close to her chest, but policy documents such as the DG’s Strategic Plans 2025-2029, and the second EU budget package will soon be overdue. The State of the Union speech in Strasbourg on 10 September should also give a glimpse of what will be in the Commission’s Work Programme for 2026, ahead of the full document expected in October. Will we see another dozen of omnibuses next year, or will the EU return…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. EU WATCHDOG SLAPS COMMISSION ON THE WRIST In May, eight civil society organizations filed a complaint to the Ombudsman, denouncing a breach of the Commission’s own Better Regulation Guidelines with the publication of the Omnibus I proposal. What was the issue? The Commission failed to make a real impact assessment and pretty much skipped the public consultation. This week, Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen herself, asking for further clarification. Anjinho contests the Commission’s justification for bypassing the impact assessment on the grounds of unforeseen "urgency" and demands an explanation for the lack of public consultation, which significantly limited stakeholder participation in the process. However, the Ombudsman didn't stop there; she also raised concerns about the…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. MAYBE COMING SOON: THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT ACCOUNT How do Europeans see the impact of the EU in their daily life? A single currency, free roaming, and -in theory- open borders. Perhaps the Ecolabel if you buy sustainable products and services. And in 2013, the Commission even proposed to protect consumers against fraudulent refills of olive oil bottles in restaurants. But soon you might see another EU product in your household: the European Savings and Investment Account. Because Europe needs your money, to invest in the digital transition, green competitiveness, and, why not, the defence industry. The Commission's plans for the Savings and Investment Union in terms of retail investments will soon become more concrete, following a consultation that closed earlier this…

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs COMMISSION UNVEILS LOOPHOLE-FILLED 2040 CLIMATE TARGET While Brussels was in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave, the Commission finally unveiled its 2040 Climate target. Dragging its feet since February, the target confirms the EU’s continued retreat on green policies, to no one’s surprise. Although the EU plans a 90% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels!), the means of achieving this are ridiculed by loopholes sold as ‘flexibilities’. These include departing from a domestic-only climate target and allowing for the outsourcing of climate effort responsibility. As of 2036 emission reduction can be met through Member State-funded climate projects in developing countries. The target also grants sectoral leeway, by letting governments shift their efforts between sectors, which increases the likelihood…