“In the EU, majority voting must become the rule.”

Margrethe Vestager, a former EU Competition Commissioner, looked at the enormous changes and challenges Europe faces today. She described the current situation as a period of “accelerated, unpredictable disorder” in which the existing European economic model has come under pressure. Vestager stressed that Europe could no longer rely on old certainties and called for its capacity to act to be strengthened.

One of its central concerns was the completion of the European single market. Vestager criticised the fact that member states are still erecting barriers and called for companies to be able to operate across Europe from the start. Europe is in demand as a trading partner worldwide and new trade agreements with Canada, Mercosur and India offer great opportunities. She advised to be pragmatic in negotiations: “Let’s do 80% rather than wait for the perfect 100% that never comes.”

Vestager also put the spotlight on defence policy. Europe had to catch up and develop its own capacities. For all these tasks, Europe needs capital and a deep, integrated capital market. "We can only get faster if we’re willing to take the risk of failure," she said.

In conclusion, Vestager called on politicians to develop self-confidence and to strengthen Europe as a geopolitical actor, stressing that the European people continue to support the EU project. She demanded: “The EU needs majority voting rather than veto rights to become more effective.” Her appeal: Europe must do its homework, complete the internal market, promote innovation and technology, and move boldly forward to ensure prosperity and democracy.