My time at @euractiv.com has come to an end. For my last piece, I allowed myself to look at the inner workings of the #Brussels bubble and why it will probably never change. See first comment. Thanks to all my amazing (ex-)colleagues for two and a half fantastic years! It was a blast!

Commission’s new omnibus slashes green reporting to catch up with US

Germany must act immediately to stop deindustrialisation, union urges

Germany’s CDU joins race to subsidise electricity prices

As Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has invited key industry players on Thursday for a “strategic dialogue” on the future of the automotive sector, @euractiv.com takes a look at what is behind the current slump. www.euractiv.com/section/econ...

“The car lobby has created this whole narrative that they are in crisis and that the EU is to blame for that. This is a complete fabrication,” William Todts of Transport & Environment (T&E) told me in an interview. @euractiv.com www.euractiv.com/section/econ...

The Brief – On life support

EXCLUSIVE: Competitiveness Compass to call for ‘unprecedented’ cutting of red tape

The only constituency in Germany’s national election that matters

"After decades in which the EU was mostly known for liberalising markets... the first von der Leyen Commission wanted to show that these times are finally over," writes @packroff.bsky.social in today's Economy Brief. eurac.tv/9XNX

German Greens slammed over social security reform proposal

„Politiker müssen es sich gefallen lassen, scharf und polemisch kritisiert zu werden. Man darf im Rahmen seiner Meinungsfreiheit selbstverst. die Repräsentanten des Staates in dem Sinne delegitimieren, dass man ihre Politik lächerlich macht und versucht, sie blosszustellen.“

"Overall, a Scholz comeback still looks very unlikely – but so did Scholz's victory in 2021," writes @packroff.bsky.social in today's Brief. eurac.tv/9XFJ

EPP: Commission should present proposal on relieving car industry from fines ‘ASAP’

Parliament negotiators caution against reforms conditionality for EU budget

EPP to call to ‘avoid penalties’ for carmakers but stick to 2025 CO2 targets

Analysts: What the EU could offer Trump to avoid new tariffs

Pressure mounts on new Commission to set up emergency EU steel summit

"Instead of further weakening global trade by replicating the protectionist policies of the US and China, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen doubled down on the need to boost it," writes @packroff.bsky.social in this week's Economy Brief. eurac.tv/9XBg

Das ging schnell #Mercosur

Despite Macron’s opposition, the EU rejects US and Chinese protectionism, opting to boost global trade instead. #Mercosur @euractiv.com Economy Brief: The global alliance of herbivores starts today.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Friday (6 December) that the EU has reached a free trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay – the Mercosur bloc. ✍ Anna Brunetti, Thomas Moller-Nielsen and @packroff.bsky.social 🔗 eurac.tv/9XBd

Ursula von der Leyen and the EU's trade chief Maroš Šefčovič arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday morning (5 December), signalling a conclusion of negotiations on the EU-#Mercosur deal. @sofiamazzanaro.bsky.social reports with Thomas Moller-Nielsen

Wichtige Berechnung: Wenn die Union die Senkung des Strompreises mit den CO2-Einnahmen bezahlt, bleibt für sämtliche KTF-Förderprogramme praktisch kein Geld mehr übrig.

The final interinstitutional deal excludes all additional changes proposed by the conservative EPP, and supported by far-right groups, as the Council rejected any revisions beyond the one-year delay.

Scholz im Bericht aus Berlin: Ertrag Schuldenbremsenreform soll neben Verzicht auf Tilgung der Notkredite ab 2028 einen Umfang „im Bereich 5-10 Mrd.“ haben. Das scheint mir sehr wenig gegeben dass zB ab 2028 das Sondervermögen BW mit mehr als 20 Mrd Ausgaben jährlich ausläuft.

The von der Leyen II Commission officially takes office today. We will work on seven ambitious political priorities to make Europe stronger, safer and fairer. For a stronger and more united future. Es lebe Europa, vive l'Europe, long live Europe.

My response to the #omnibus proposal to re-open CSDDD, CSRD & Taxonomy: Weakening or delaying these crucial laws risks undermining the EU’s leadership on sustainable finance&corporate responsibility at a time when the urgency of tackling climate breakdown&social inequalities has never been greater

Another important visualisation is this map via @jackschickler.bsky.social on how MEPs from member states voted - with a big France shaped hole, and notably stronger support for the Commission in the Nordics and Baltics, potentially reflecting their strive for a security & competitiveness agenda.

Job vacancy🚨We at @bruegel.bsky.social are looking for a full-time Brussels-based Ph.D. energy and climate economist to join our team. Please apply/spread the word! www.bruegel.org/careers/ener...

European Union industry ministers discuss simplifying EU business rules today, after re-elected European Commission President von der Leyen pledged to prioritise competitiveness during her second term. Read with Euractiv+ below ⤵️

Outgoing EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni criticised the EU’s new fiscal framework on Tuesday, arguing that he bears no responsibility for the “rigid” provisions that limit member states’ ability to accrue public debt. By Thomas Moller-Nielsen.

German industry boss warns: Europe could be hit next in Trump tariff threats

‘Babe, wake up! Team @euractiv.com starter pack just dropped’ go.bsky.app/MXnJjUS

🎧🇪🇺 Once more, I had the pleasure to join the “Today in the EU” podcast, this time to talk about the European Commission’s promise to slash reporting obligations for companies by 25%, Merkel’s legacy, the Draghi report, and much more. Listen to it below ⤵️

Inspired by the Draghi report, Europe’s three largest business federations have called for Europe to “catch up” with the US in several ways—an approach that may prove more difficult than it sounds. With great on-the-ground reporting by @theobgonse.bsky.social www.euractiv.com/section/econ...

What on earth is now a “New Industrial Deal”? I thought with the Green Deal, Clean Industrial Deal and Competitiveness Deal we had enough “Deals” already… 🤷🏻‍♂️

🇪🇺 Habemus Koalitionsvertrag! Story by @magnuslundnielsen.bsky.social and @nicolettaionta.bsky.social ⤵️ www.euractiv.com/section/poli...

Germany rebuffs Polish claims of new EU ‘defence bond’ consensus 

Parliament on cusp of centrist coalition agreement, unblocking new Commission

Germany’s focus on reducing building energy consumption has failed, representatives of corporate and public landlords said at an event in Berlin on Tuesday (19 November) as ministers turn against each other in the upcoming election campaign. Read here for free ⤵️

We had a nice mini-LSE EI reunion in Berlin! 3 years later and we’re still having spirited, friendly political discussions on the weekend 😃☺️ @packroff.bsky.social

Great piece @packroff.bsky.social - Green 'realo' strategy has gloriously failed - time to re-invent ecological politics! @euractiv.com

Germany’s #Greens have tried to placate critics by pretending that a strict climate course would not change their lifestyle in any way, but few believe them and the party has become the second-most disliked party in the country. The Brief @euractiv.com

The last, and most important day of hearings for the next 🇪🇺 European Commission is ongoing, with Italy‘s Fitto, Estonia‘s Kallas, France‘s Séjourné and Spain‘s Ribera being questioned by the European Parliament over the day. Follow our @euractiv.com live blog here: www.euractiv.com/section/poli...

Helpful chart by @politico.eu on the EP political groups votes regarding the new Commissioners. Shows very much that the ECR now is fully part of the Brussels mainstream - voting for centre-left candidates, but also working more and more with the EPP.

With Donald Trump elected to a second term as US president, the EU needs to spend more on defence, and doing so requires new public debt, experts told Euractiv. The exit of fiscal hawk Christian Lindner (FDP, Renew) from the German government could open up new opportunities. @euractiv.com

France’s deputy minister for industry, Marc Ferracci, called for introducing “emergency” measures to save Europe’s struggling carmakers on Tuesday (5 October), including postponing potentially large fines they are likely to face next year.