With Germany’s conservative leaders in Berlin on Monday, however, von der Leyen sought to present a common position with her fellow conservative leaders in Germany, saying the Commission’s deregulation goals are in line with theirs.
“We are very committed to this issue,” von der Leyen said. “This is also reflected in the document in front of us, which includes many considerations,” he said of the German strategy paper.
“We are determined to bring about changes so that in Europe and in the member countries we can quickly and more effectively create an environment where companies can grow and develop the international competitiveness they need,” von der Leyen added.
Two important EU files to be discussed are the Industrial Acceleration Commission Act (IAA) – which would define “Made in EU” favoritism in green procurement – and the AI Law – which Berlin has actively tried to reduce.
Jens Spahn, one of the leaders of the conservative parliamentary group, said German lawmakers were eager to discuss the full terms of these plans.
“We want free and open markets,” Spahn said. “But we also recognize that we must respond when other economies, such as the United States and China, take a different approach. And that’s why measures to strengthen and protect our industry are fundamentally the right thing. Of course, we argue about the exact details.”
