German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for sweeping deregulation across the European Union on Wednesday, demanding a comprehensive review of existing legislation as European leaders and industry executives gathered to address the bloc’s competitiveness crisis.
“We must deregulate every sector. I call for a ‘regulatory clean slate,'” Merz said at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp. “Minor corrections to laws are not sufficient. We need to systematically review the whole set of existing EU legislation.”
More than 500 business leaders attended the summit alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. The gathering preceded Thursday’s informal European Council meeting at Alden Biesen castle.
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Merz has targeted the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive for elimination since becoming chancellor in May 2025. The directive requires companies to address human rights violations and environmental damage across global supply chains.
Industry groups argue that Europe’s regulatory framework undermines competitiveness against the US and China. High energy costs and compliance burdens have driven investment abroad, executives told summit attendees.
The Antwerp Declaration Community, representing more than 1,300 companies and trade unions, urged EU leaders to deliver emergency measures in 2026.
Environmental advocates warn that extensive deregulation could weaken worker protections and environmental safeguards while delaying clean technology investments.
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