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Do you like receiving letters? European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just wrote one to all 27 EU leaders. In simple words, it is about a new European “superspeed” club.
“Where a lack of progress risks undermining Europe’s competitiveness … we should not shy away from using the possibilities foreseen in the treaties on enhanced cooperation,” it says.
Confused? Do not worry. Your reporter also struggled. In her letter, von der Leyen is essentially saying: if we cannot agree now as 27, let us break the taboo and move forward in smaller groups.
And as she calls it, “enhanced cooperation” will allow a group of at least nine countries to shift up a gear without waiting for the others.
And those considered “troublemakers”? They can keep pumping the brakes, but they are about to be left in the rearview mirror.
But that is not the only bold idea.
French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for “future-oriented eurobonds,” a massive common debt for strategic projects. This is already happening with the €90 billion Ukraine loan, which bypasses Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
This also shows that not everyone is ready for a Hamiltonian moment. But the trend is clear: The EU is finally trying to reform itself.
Back in September, von der Leyen suggested limiting veto rights, which are often used by some member states to derail collective action.
And the motivation is clear.
If Brussels does not learn to drive fast, it will not just be overtaken. It might end up in the scrapyard.
Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.
Read the full article here
