'A directive is not a 28th regime,' startup groups tell von der Leyen
Startup groups crank up pressure on the Commission President to make good on her pledge of "something completely new" for the planned EU-wide company entity
A coalition of 27 startup groups today sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, denouncing apparent plans to introduce an EU-wide company entity – the so-called “28th regime” – via a directive, not a regulation.
The groups write that “a Directive is not a 28th Regime”, arguing that such a choice of legal instrument – which would give more leeway to countries to implement the reforms – would mean founders need to deal with different transpositions into national law.
“It means replacing one patchwork with another”, the letter complains, arguing that a directive would not deliver the sought for simplification to help startups scale across the single market.
The startup bodies, which include associations from the EU and national levels, are particularly incensed that von der Leyen – just two weeks ago – signalled that the project would not be based on tweaking national systems but rather she pledged to create “something completely new”.
The Commission has yet to formally present the 28th regime proposal but the groups’ concerns centre on a leaked EU work programme for 2026 that’s due to be officially adopted next Tuesday.
Ahead of that unveil, which is likely to confirm the choice of legal instrument, the groups call on von der Leyen “to demonstrate your commitment to not only Europe’s founders, but also to Europe’s future”.
A Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to Euractiv’s request for a response to the letter.
(nl)
