On 4 November, more than 700 entrepreneurs, gathered from across the European chamber network, will convene in the hemicycle of the European Parliament. Our presence for the 7th edition of the European Parliament of Enterprises is a democratic act: businesses engaging directly with EU lawmakers to shape Europe’s economic future.
The 2024-2029 European Commission political guidelines promised to boost growth and investment, yet progress so far has been very slow. Entrepreneurs see a widening gap between political aspiration and delivery. Key reforms on competitiveness, innovation, and simplification remain stalled or watered down.
The Commission aims to cut administrative burdens on business by 25%, and by 35% for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), estimating annual savings of €8 billion. But proposals to pursue these targets are advancing slowly, and businesses have not yet felt any impact. Simplification is not an abstract goal — it is the foundation of competitiveness and of the success of Europe’s SMEs.
We need investment, not regulation and unachievable goals. We need to respond to climate change, but not in a manner that undermines the productivity and competitiveness of the European economy, as is currently the case
Politically motivated titles and strategies such as the EU Green Deal, digital transition, or Clean Industrial Deal lack credibility among our constituency as they are not enabling Europe’s entrepreneurs to thrive and compete.
We need the courage to ask whether responding to the threat of climate change must be at the cost of deepening uncertainty in European industry and falling market share, or whether a challenge on such a global scale can only be overcome through a strong economy, unshackled from disproportionate regulatory and reporting requirements?
We need investment, not regulation and unachievable goals. We need to respond to climate change, but not in a manner that undermines the productivity and competitiveness of the European economy, as is currently the case. Europe should be able to critically compare itself with other regions of the world that do not set unattainable goals, while their innovations and development of truly green technologies contribute more significantly to future sustainability.
Our presence for the 7th edition of the European Parliament of Enterprises is a democratic act: businesses engaging directly with EU lawmakers to shape Europe’s economic future.
We cannot accept the stubborn insistence of part of the European Parliament on unsustainable climate targets coupled with a regulatory regime that stifles economic progress. We do not need lengthy political discussions that delay even the first step in the simplification process, embodied in the omnibuses.
We need radical reforms that quickly lead to affordable energy and to improved access to financing. The path to climate neutrality must make Europe a better place to produce, not worse, otherwise carbon leakage will increase as our industrial fabric continues to shrink.
The path to climate neutrality must make Europe a better place to produce, not worse, otherwise carbon leakage will increase as our industrial fabric continues to shrink
The single market is one of Europe’s greatest achievements, yet national barriers and uneven enforcement still limit its impact. Completing and deepening it must be the EU’s top priority, in services, digitalisation, and labour mobility. A cohesive single market underpins global competitiveness.
Amid rising protectionism, Europe needs open and reciprocal trade partnerships to stay resilient. However, let’s be clear here: we cannot simply blame ‘Brussels’ in the form of the Commission and the European Parliament. In the case of the single market (and indeed in many others), we recognise that criticism must also be directed at national governments.
If Europe wants growth, it must listen to those who create it. Engaging with entrepreneurs is where competitiveness begins. The European Parliament of Enterprises is not just a symbol of dialogue; it is a call to act together. But we, Europe’s entrepreneurs, must be heard.
The 7th edition of the European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE) happening on 4 November 2025 is the largest event of this kind at EU level. It will be held in the hemicycle of the European Parliament, giving the floor directly to over 700 entrepreneurs.
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