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Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) hosted a compelling debate featuring Rodrigo Ballester, Head of the Center for European Studies, and Marc De Vos, author of Superpower Europe: The European Union's Silent Revolution.
As the EU stands at a critical crossroads, the discussion focused on the significant challenges it faces as it transitions from a free market to a state-centric model, particularly the implications of becoming a super regulator without democratic legitimacy.
The debate explored how the EU's emphasis on self-interest could lead it away from the democratic ideals it strives to uphold. One key concern is the trend of the EU outsourcing governance to corporations, as seen in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This directive significantly expands the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements for entities operating within the EU, raising questions about the EU's jurisdictional reach.
As Member States struggle to address challenges collectively, there is a risk that they may cluster together, pressuring others to conform or face marginalization. Nevertheless, the conversation highlighted the potential for reforming the EU's structure without fully adopting a federal system. It drew attention to the importance of flexibility, multi-speed integration, and adhering to the principles of conferral of competences and subsidiarity outlined in EU treaties.
