Ultimi documenti

Riassunto : The development of European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) represents a decisive step towards strengthening the EU’s crisis response, economic competitiveness and strategic autonomy. EDPCIs aim to overcome fragmented national defence efforts by promoting joint development, production and procurement of key military capabilities, enhancing the EU’s governance structure for defence investment. While earlier frameworks like the EDF, PESCO and CARD have achieved limited integration, EDPCIs could enable large-scale collaboration by pooling demand, streamlining supply chains and reinforcing the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. Proposed flagship projects such as the Drone Initiative, Eastern Flank Watch, Air Shield, and Space Shield address urgent needs but face challenges of funding, technology gaps and diverging national planning cycles. Other potential EDPCIs, such as a Cyber Defence Shield, a Combat Cloud, Military Mobility Network or EU Command and Control could expand into critical enabler domains but also depend on balancing EU-level regulation and intergovernmental ownership and ensuring sustained financial and political backing. This study recommends a coherent governance framework, harmonised standards and inclusive industrial participation to sustain innovation. Ultimately, success will hinge on EDPCIs’ capacity to deliver credible capabilities and advance Europe’s goal of a resilient, autonomous and integrated defence posture.

Riassunto : This study examines the political, economic, and regulatory barriers hindering the creation of a European single market for defence. Despite growing recognition within EU institutions of the need for integration to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and readiness, progress remains constrained. Political obstacles — diverging threat perceptions, sovereignty concerns, reliance on the United States, and lessons from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine — emerge as the primary impediments, shaping downstream economic fragmentation and limiting the impact of existing regulatory tools. Economically, the persistence of nationally segmented industries, duplication, and reluctance to aggregate demand undermine scale and interoperability, while many industrial actors remain neutral or sceptical of deeper integration. Regulatory frameworks such as the Defence Procurement Directive exist but are inconsistently applied due to Member States’ discretion and exemptions. The study highlights conceptual ambiguities surrounding the very definition of a 'single market for defence', which further complicates consensus–building. It concludes that political convergence is a prerequisite for meaningful progress and recommends mapping stakeholder perspectives, clarifying strategic priorities, harmonising standards, engaging stakeholders transparently, and incentivising demand aggregation as essential steps toward advancing integration.

Riassunto : On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also to strengthening enforcement. These three areas will remain key horizontal priorities for the entire Commission mandate. Just like last year's CWP, the 2026 CWP adheres to the seven headline ambitions put forward in the political guidelines. It is accompanied by a report on implementation, simplification and enforcement, the first of its kind. This new annual report is set to replace the annual burden survey. Annex I of the 2026 CWP puts forward 70 major new legislative and non-legislative initiatives, 44 % of which fall under the competitiveness headline ambition. (Up to) 48 of the new initiatives are legislative, including three sector-specific omnibus packages (on energy product legislation, taxation and citizens). Of the forthcoming legislative initiatives, 67 % are likely revisions of existing legislation, while more than half have a strong simplification dimension. Unlike previous CWPs, the 2026 CWP does not indicate whether a legislative initiative will be accompanied by an impact assessment; this lack of transparency runs counter to the spirit of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making. Information on the Commission's 'Have your say' portal shows that, at the time of writing, two thirds of the up to 48 legislative initiatives were expected to be accompanied by an impact assessment (though the final number may be higher). The annual evaluation plan presented in Annex II of the CWP, comprising 20 evaluations, does not appear exhaustive. Finally, the communication on Better Regulation, expected in Q2 2026, may entail a revision of the Better Regulation Guidelines, the first since 2021.

Autori : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, DALLI HUBERT, IOANNIDES Isabelle

Riassunto : Although microelectronics have a significant role in modern life, their low visibility and complex value chain have contributed to concealing a decline in EU industry in the field. It is broadly assumed that microelectronics are designed in California and manufactured in Taiwan. What if the EU could take a particularly strategic position in this technology?

Autori : GARCIA HIGUERA ANDRES

Riassunto : The European Parliament is vested with powers of democratic oversight and political scrutiny vis-à-vis the European Commission. These powers of Parliament enhance the democratic legitimacy of the EU as a whole, and help increase the transparency and accountability of the Commission as the EU's executive body. This study examines Parliament's oversight and scrutiny powers over the Commission. It focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on the powers that are enshrined in specific provisions of the EU Treaties. This includes Parliament's role in the Commission's investiture, in motions of censure, parliamentary questions, committees of inquiry and special committees, and in the Commission's obligations to report, consult and inform. It also looks into Parliament's scrutiny over budgetary issues, of delegated acts, in the context of the EU legislative procedure and agenda-setting, of legal proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, and of the EU's external relations. The study builds on a previous EPRS study on parliamentary scrutiny of the Commission, originally requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in 2018. The data presented in this edition focus on the ninth term parliamentary term (2019 to 2024).

Autori : TENHUNEN Susanna, EISELE Katharina, AHAMAD MADATALI HANNAH NAFIZE, JANSEN Talander Hugo