As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the role of the European Union becomes increasingly crucial in addressing global challenges. At the forefront of EU decision-making, the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and driving the Union forward. Currently, Belgium holds the responsibility of steering the Council during these critical times, and its presidency gains even more significance as the European Parliament elections loom on the horizon in June 2024.
Priorities of the Belgian Presidency
The published program of the Belgian Presidency of the Council sheds light on the nation’s ambitious agenda and commitment to addressing pressing issues. The Presidency focuses on six thematic areas. It aims to facilitate a smooth transition to the next institutional cycle, supporting the adoption of the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and fostering discussions on the future of the European Union.
Defending the rule of law, democracy, and unity is a core objective. The Presidency aims to empower and include citizens, particularly youth, enhance education, media freedom, and stimulate the digital transformation of cultural and creative sectors. Enlarging the EU is supported, with a commitment to assisting candidate countries and preparing for future accessions.
Strengthening competitiveness is imperative, with a focus on long-term industrial policies, a level playing field for businesses, and a sustainable digital ecosystem. The Presidency seeks to boost economic security, reduce dependencies, and promote technological leadership. Emphasis is placed on research, development, innovation, and a future-oriented labour market, while highlighting the significance of cohesion policy.
The Presidency emphasises a green and just transition, aligning with the Green Deal, circular economy enhancement, and adaptive measures for climate change. It advocates for affordable, reliable, and climate-neutral energy, emphasising energy efficiency, renewable sources, and a flexible European energy network.
Reinforcing the social and health agenda is prioritised, building on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Presidency aims to enhance inclusivity, gender equality, fair labour mobility, mental health at work, and social protection. Crisis preparedness evaluation, medicines supply security, and a strategy to boost the health and care workforce are part of the agenda.
Protecting people and borders involves addressing legislative files related to the new European pact on migration and asylum. Strengthening external dimensions, combating organised crime and terrorism, and enhancing EU resilience to crises are key priorities.
Promoting a global Europe underscores the importance of a rules-based international order. The Presidency aims for a more assertive approach to strengthen the EU’s resilience and autonomy, emphasising openness, dialogue, cooperation, and a balanced trade policy. Health care system strengthening and achieving universal health coverage are aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
Challenges facing the Belgium Presidency
While the ambitions outlined in the program are commendable, the Belgian Presidency faces several challenges in effectively executing its agenda.
Divergent National Interests:
The EU consists of diverse member states with varying priorities and interests. Belgium must navigate through these differences to build consensus and ensure that policies are adopted in the best interest of the Union as a whole. Striking a balance between national interests and EU objectives will be a delicate task.
Economic Uncertainty:
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has left the European economy in a fragile state. Belgium must contend with economic uncertainties, ensuring that recovery efforts are efficient and that member states are equipped to overcome the challenges posed by ongoing global economic shifts.
Geopolitical Pressures:
The geopolitical landscape is marked by complex challenges, including tensions with neighbouring nations and global power dynamics. Belgium must navigate these pressures while asserting the EU’s role as a global actor, promoting peace, and defending the values that underpin the Union.
EU Election & following Presidency by Hungary:
The upcoming European Parliament elections and the Hungarian presidency that follows add an extra layer of complexity, to navigate the political landscape and influence policy outcomes in the best interest the Union as a whole.
Open files still to be discussed before elections
Belgium bears the responsibility of concluding numerous legislative open files, numbering over 150, before the onset of the European Elections, which will bring a temporary halt to ongoing legislative endeavours. Among the crucial files still under consideration is the revision of the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation, a topic currently in deliberation between the Parliament and the Council. This initiative is a direct response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the EU strives to standardise and enhance its authority in managing health-related issues. Other key legislative discussions concern topics such as 2040 climate targets, electricity markets, hydrogen, artificial intelligence, packaging waste, water quality, digital platform workers and financial reporting.
Belgium is one of the biggest supporters of the ‘Green Deal’, the core project of the current EU mandate. Belgium will therefore try to successfully close as many files linked to environment and climate policies as possible in the coming months, and despite growing reluctance in the conservative groups of the European Parliament.
As the European Parliament elections loom, there arises a pertinent question regarding the fate of pending open files. Plenary votes conducted by the Parliament before the elections retain legal validity in the subsequent legislature. This implies that newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will resume the consideration of files from where their predecessors left off, advancing them through the decision-making process.
Legislation that fails to reach the plenary level before the elections, will be considered void at the start of the next parliamentary term.
As Belgium takes the helm of the Council Presidency amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape, the success of its agenda will have far-reaching implications for the EU and is a race against time. The following months will undoubtedly be a critical juncture for the EU. For the public affairs community the six months of Belgian’s Presidency will not only mean a final spurt towards decisions on open files, but also a unique opportunity accompanying the elections – establishing contacts with new and re-elected Parliament members and proactively influencing the priorities of the new five-year legislative term 2024-2029.
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