2024 was the year of the vote; more than 100 countries, representing nearly half of the global population, held elections this year. 2025 will be the year of political work, with governments implementing the policies and promises made. In this context, one central question is emerging: What is the role of the state and government in an era defined by profound political, economic and environmental challenges? And what capacity do governments have to deal with them?
Divergent visions to these questions are crystallising. One vision is championed by figures like Javier Milei in Argentina or Elon Musk in the US. They foresee radical cuts to the administration, a minimal, deregulated state that lets wild capitalism and private entrepreneurship solve all challenges. Milei’s “chainsaw” and Musk’s DOGE (Department for Government Efficiency) – which draws inspiration from the cryptocoin Shiba Inu dog – are symbolic for this vision. The chainsaw for the destruction of the state, the dogecoin for the wild entrepreneurship.
This libertarian narrative is gaining traction in Europe. Calls for less government intervention and cuts to administration are getting louder in Brussels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s Mission Letters and Political Guidelines echo a soft version, highlighting the simplification of bureaucratic procedures and a reduction of administrative burden and reporting requirements. In early 2025, the European Commission is planning to introduce an Omnibus Simplification Package, aiming to streamline sustainability regulations.
Of course, streamlining processes, reducing duplications and increasing administrative efficiency is desirable and needed. But let’s not be naïve: There are political actors who, under the guise of a bureaucracy reduction agenda, aim to reduce the role of the state, deregulate and eliminate crucial environmental laws and regulations of the European Green Deal. Such an agenda must naturally be opposed.
But one shouldn’t only play defence. What is needed is a progressive vision for reducing bureaucracy and of an effective state. At the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, we aim to contribute to this debate, for example, with an upcoming analysis in 2025 of the planned Omnibus Simplification agenda.
As we finish the year, I would also like to take the opportunity to thank you, our readers, for your interest and continued support. We value your engagement and feedback and look forward to keeping you informed of our work and contributions in 2025!
This last month, we are particularly proud to have supported Bruegel in looking into the role financial markets can play when it comes to protecting biodiversity, publishing an article by our Warsaw colleagues who highlight what we can expect from Poland’s EU Council Presidency, analysing what a Trump 2.0 administration means for Europe and support for Ukraine, looking back at Green parties' electoral scores in 2024, and presenting two final podcasts of the year – one with civil society leaders from Argentina evaluating one year of Milei’s presidency, and one with Reinhard Bütikofer, former Member of the European Parliament, looking into the past and future trajectory of the European Union and European Green Deal. We hope these find your interest!
Our team wishes you a relaxing holiday season and a good start to the new year.
Read more in our Böll EU 10/2024 Newsletter!
Warm regards,
Roderick Kefferpütz, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union