The new Commission must be a Commission for competitiveness, because: The engine for Europe's economic growth and prosperity is a functioning single market. The economic success of the EU depends on this and on lively domestic competition. However, for it to also lead to greater competitiveness compared to other regions of the world and thus develop its full potential, harmonisation towards consistent and coherent regulation and thus the abolition of national exemptions is crucial. However, this must be done with great caution and within the bounds of what is feasible. At present, the EU's efforts at harmonisation are increasingly having the opposite effect: the many regulations and often also their implementation are overburdening companies - regardless of whether they are large corporations or SMEs - as well as member states and can hardly be implemented by them within the specified time frames. As a result, economic activities in the EU are at a disadvantage in international competition - this almost always hits European companies the hardest, which the single market is supposed to strengthen. For this reason, the "New Approach" established by the EU Commission many years ago, which is intended to promote the technical harmonisation of national legal regulations for product groups in the EU internal market, must once again be given greater priority: more framework regulations and fewer detailed regulations are needed.

The new Commission must also be a Commission for global partnerships and European resilience, because: Free, fair and rules-based trade are the core elements of global cooperation. Tariff and non-tariff trade barriers must be consistently dismantled. To this end, multilateral relationships must be continuously strengthened and strategic political and economic partnerships have to be established. In the coming years, this will be of the utmost importance, as will the protection against unfair trade practices and the reduction of unilateral dependencies. Politics and the economy must work closely together here. Free trade agreements (FTAs) are the best form of a binding and reliable framework for the EU, which is focussed on foreign trade and international trade relations. It must therefore focus its trade agenda on results, negotiate new FTAs with other regions and countries at eye level and implement them quickly.

The next Commission must also be an Energy Transition Commission, because: For Europe to develop into a climate-neutral and at the same time economically successful continent, far-reaching changes are needed in all areas of the economy and life - from housing and mobility to industry and agriculture. The transformation of the energy and economic system in particular represents an enormous political, social and economic challenge, but one that is necessary. At the same time, it has the potential to increase the attractiveness of Europe as a business location. With forward-looking political support, European manufacturers can gain a head start in transformation technologies and new market opportunities. In all sector-specific considerations and measures, increasing energy efficiency and decarbonising the energy system are the cornerstones on the way to achieving the 2030 and 2050 climate policy targets. Power from renewable energies, used directly or in the form of power-to-X technologies, will therefore be the key energy source of the future system. 

Digitalisation was one of the two guiding themes of the last EU Commission, alongside the drive for more "greening". The next Commission must also be a Commission for digitalisation and make the further integration of the digital single market a top priority in this area. Tailor-made solutions must be developed so that digitalisation can unfold in the individual sectors. If necessary, specific regulations are needed for individual sectors that fulfil the special requirements of the industry. The right incentives and regulatory adjustments are needed to make the EU an attractive market for investment in digital innovation. Consistent regulatory requirements play just as important a role as attractive location conditions and a basic attitude that focuses on the opportunities of digitalisation. 

In terms of sustainability, the new Commission must strike a balance, because: The great green and digital transformation must maintain a balance between competitiveness, environmental and climate protection and social responsibility. With its technologies, the electro and digital industry is the key sector for a sustainable transformation. Here too, European policy and legislation must provide clear framework conditions that can be implemented by companies - practical, consistent and without contradictions.