European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has backed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s call for greater “common sense” in EU policymaking, arguing that competitiveness and deregulation must play a central role in Europe’s future.
Speaking at the annual Rimini Meeting in Italy, a major political and cultural gathering, Metsola said the EU needed to reduce bureaucracy and strengthen the single market to help European businesses compete more effectively on the global stage.
“Giorgia Meloni was right, we need more ‘common sense solutions,’” Metsola said.
She cited the EU’s new packaging rules, which came into force on 12 August, as an example of regulation that could have unintended consequences. According to Metsola, the measures impose strict and potentially counterproductive burdens on small and medium-sized businesses.
“This is the exact opposite of what Europe should stand for,” she said.
Small retailers in several European countries have already raised concerns about the additional costs of complying with the rules, with some saying they may stop shipping to other EU markets.
Metsola said the European Parliament would seek changes to the legislation in the coming weeks, as negotiations continue between MEPs and member states on wider efforts to simplify environmental regulations.
Meloni has increasingly promoted “common sense” as part of her approach to EU policy, calling for Europe to focus on fewer priorities and act more quickly and effectively.
via euractiv.com
