EU Inc & Industrial Accelerator Act: Europe Shifts into High Gear
“The urgency could not be greater.” With these words, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set the tone during the recent European Industry Summit in Antwerp and the informal retreat at Alden Biesen. While Prime Minister Bart De Wever defines the milestones for economic recovery at the national level, a radical shift in direction is emerging at the European level: the handbrake must be released from the economy to safeguard European prosperity and democracy.
From Ecology to Economic Resilience
The European discourse has definitively pivoted. While attention focused almost exclusively on the Green Deal for years, the Industrial Deal has now taken center stage. The message from Antwerp is crystal clear: competitiveness is no longer a mere economic aspiration; it is the very foundation of our security and sovereignty in a contested geopolitical environment. Europe now refuses to remain a bystander while investments flee to other continents due to stifling regulatory pressure and high energy costs.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever summarized the gravity of the situation aptly during his intervention, stating that the cradle of the industrial revolution must not transform into a heritage park where visitors come only to admire the prosperity of the past. According to the Prime Minister, our industry must first matter to Europe before Europe can truly matter in the world again. The heart of this new strategy, therefore, relies on a "deep regulatory housecleaning." The European Commission aims to radically break down internal barriers within the Single Market—currently three times higher than those between US states—under the banner of One Europe, One Market by the end of 2027.
The Pillars of Reindustrialization: EU Inc and the Industrial Accelerator Act
Two major instruments drive this new European orientation. On one hand, there is EU Inc, a new 28th regime creating a cross-border corporate structure. This system aims to allow entrepreneurs to register a company fully online in any Member State within 48 hours, bypassing current bureaucratic hurdles linked to disparate national legislations. This will strengthen the Single Market by tackling administrative fragmentation.
On the other hand, the Industrial Accelerator Act aims to remove the physical "handbrake" on industry. This legislation is designed to drastically speed up permitting procedures and reduce administrative burdens by 25%. The goal is to provide a "fast-track" for projects in strategic sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, and clean technologies. This measure responds directly to the frustration caused by dossiers currently blocked for years by legal procedures, thereby significantly improving predictability for investors.
Energy and Capital as Engines of Growth
A crucial element of this new competitiveness lies in the price of energy. Ursula von der Leyen reminded leaders gathered at Alden Biesen of the striking figures from 2025: while the average gas price in Europe reached 100 EUR per MWh, the costs for renewable energy (34 EUR) and nuclear energy (between 50 and 60 EUR) proved to be significantly more advantageous. The transition to clean energy is therefore no longer perceived solely as a climate goal, but as an absolute economic necessity to reduce the operational costs of European industry.
Simultaneously, the Savings and Investment Union aims to mobilize up to 470 billion EUR in additional private capital to maintain Europe's technological lead. The "Digital Networks Act" and the "European Energy Highways" constitute the essential physical infrastructure to support this growth and more closely link Member States through robust energy grids and increased digital sovereignty.
Conclusion: Unity, Speed, and Determination
The political convergence between Prime Minister De Wever's federal line and President von der Leyen's European vision creates a unique momentum. Industry is no longer considered a burden of the past, but the guarantee of our democratic future. The European Industrial Deal is not an option; it is a vital necessity to prevent factory closures and the erosion of household prosperity.
The success of this shift in direction will depend entirely on the speed of execution. As Ursula von der Leyen emphasized: Europe must move faster to become stronger. The path traced between Antwerp and Alden Biesen is that of an autonomous and competitive Europe taking its destiny back into its own hands.
