Is the EU setting the right priorities? MEPs slug it out on The Ring

Published on 11 November 2026 - 21:32 GMT+1 The European Commission has announced its legislative priorities for 2027, setting the agenda for the final stretch of the current institutional cycle. With competitiveness, security, the green transition and economic resilience high on the EU’s agenda, the question is whether Brussels can turn its ambitions into concrete results. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In this edition of The Ring from the European Parliament in Brussels, Stefan Grobe is joined by two leading European lawmakers: Italian Green member Benedetta Scuderi and German Christian Democrat Markus Ferber. What should the EU’s priority be? Cutting red tape while aiming for a lower budget? Or increasing the budget with climate and social spending goals on sight? As political divisions grow and the next European elections approach, which policies should take priority — and what should the EU focus on delivering before the end of its mandate? The challenges are enormous. An increasingly volatile geopolitical situation is forcing Europe to rethink its security and economic model. At the same time, European industries are struggling with high energy costs, excessive regulation and fierce global competition. Is it time for Brussels to put competitiveness first, even if that means slowing down the green transition? But there is another dilemma: money. Should Europe spend less, cut red tape and rein in its ambitions? Or should Europe have a bigger EU budget, more common investment and stronger social and climate policies? Does it have the political will to shape its own future? This episode of The Ring is hosted by Stefan Grobe, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos. Watch it in the player above.