A Europe of regions instead of centralism
The Free Voters want an EU of citizens and regions and reject a centralist direction. Brussels would get new powers only where strictly necessary; some would be handed back, and the platform rejects EU taxes and joint liability for debt.
The Free Voters want a Europe with strong regions. The EU should get as few new tasks as possible. Some tasks should go back to the countries. There should be no EU taxes. Each country should be liable for its own debts.
As examples of powers to return, the platform names competition law and species protection. Bavaria would influence EU lawmaking earlier and carry more weight in the Committee of the Regions. European procurement law would be relaxed, and German companies should not be disadvantaged, for instance by the ESG taxonomy. In economic and security policy, by contrast, the party wants to strengthen Europe, along with a European hydrogen strategy and greater energy security. European efforts to end the war in Ukraine would be stepped up.
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„Keine weiteren Kompetenzverlagerungen nach Brüssel, sofern nicht zwingend nötig, und sinnvolle Rückverlagerungen (z. B. überzogenes Wettbewerbsrecht und Artenschutz)“Translation: No further transfers of powers to Brussels unless absolutely necessary, and sensible transfers back (e.g. excessive competition law and species protection)
Placement
- Europeleaning less EU
The point seeks to block new EU powers, EU taxes and debt liability and to reclaim some competences, while strengthening Europe in economic and security policy.
- Foreign policyleaning diplomacy first
Stepped-up European efforts to end the war in Ukraine emphasize the diplomatic path.