In brief

• The European Commission has scheduled 23 legislative initiatives for 2027, fewer than in 2025 and 2026.
• Simplifying the law remains the main goal, especially in digital policy and competitiveness.
• 2027 will be an election year in several Member States, including Poland.

Fewer initiatives than in previous years

The European Commission has presented its work programme for 2027. It includes 23 initiatives, while 45 were announced for 2025 and 38 for 2026 (Bruselas limita su 'potencia burocrática' ante el 'superaño' electoral: muchas menos leyes y prioridad a lo digital y a la competitividad – 20minutos.es). Limiting the number of new proposals is intended to slow the pace at which regulations are created.

Simplification as the main goal

Ursula von der Leyen has focused on simplifying EU rules since the start of her second term as head of the Commission. This direction is now meant to shape the institutions' work plan more clearly. Priorities remain issues related to digital policy and the competitiveness of the economy („Politico“: Briuselis kitiems metams numato kuklesnę teisėkūros darbotvarkę – LRT) (Glausta Briuselio 2027 m. teisėkūros darbotvarkė – konkurencingumo didinimas ir suvaržymų mažinimas | infa.lt – infa.lt).

The programme also stresses the importance of completing legal acts that are already in preparation. The Commission has announced that it intends to primarily bring these projects to completion rather than introduce new ones.

Political context

In many Member States, 2027 will be an election year. Votes are scheduled, among others, in France, Italy and Poland, and in Spain the election date has been brought forward. Some governments, particularly right-wing and centre-right ones, have long demanded that the Union stop multiplying new rules.

What's next

The work programme for 2027 will now go through further negotiations among EU institutions. Only then will it be known which of the announced initiatives will ultimately be implemented.