Germany, Italy and Belgium Call for EU ‘Emergency Brake’ to Reduce Regulatory Burden

In a letter to European Council President António Costa, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever urged Brussels to adopt an ‘emergency brake’ mechanism that would let EU capitals halt new legislation deemed too burdensome for governments and businesses. The leaders also asked for faster planning and approval processes, a temporary suspension of certain regulatory areas under a new priority rule, and a broader simplification package aimed at cutting red tape, especially for small and medium‑sized enterprises. They warned that unchecked regulatory costs could permanently erode European industrial capacity and weaken investment and competitiveness. The proposals arrive ahead of a two‑day European Council summit in Brussels, where leaders will also discuss the EU budget, energy prices and Ukraine support.