The European Union is based on principles of cohesion and solidarity. However, reality shows a gap between the common discourse and national practice. Frequently, member states interpret and apply community directives selectively, prioritizing their internal interests. This divergence undermines the credibility of the European project and generates distrust among citizens.
The development of common standards and their fragmented implementation ⚖️
In the technological field, this phenomenon is evident. The EU promotes regulations like the GDPR or the Digital Markets Act, which seek to create a uniform framework. However, the transposition into national laws and their oversight fall to authorities in each country, with different levels of rigor and resources. This creates a regulatory mosaic where a company can face different procedures in Germany, France, or Spain, despite the common norm, increasing compliance complexity and costs.
Tailored harmonization: the daily special of European legislation 🛠️
It's as if Brussels designed a standard vehicle for everyone, but then each country decided to change the wheels, the steering wheel, or the engine to its liking. In the end, we drive cars with the same EU sticker, but some brake with regulations, others accelerate with exceptions, and some go straight in the opposite lane. The much-announced harmonization resembles more of a DIY, where solidarity shines by its absence when it's time to pay the bill at the workshop.