The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional
and local representatives from all 28 Member States. It gives regions
and cities a formal say in EU law-making by advising other EU
institutions through "opinions" on new legislation that directly
impacts regions and cities
A level playing field for consumers, employees and businesses in
the collaborative economy
The "collaborative economy" refers to business models where activities
are facilitated by collaborative platforms (e.g. Airbnb, Uber) that
create an open marketplace for the temporary usage of goods or
services, often provided by private individuals. Concrete application
of EU law to these new business models is far from comprehensive and
has let to multiple problems in the areas of taxation, housing as well
as labour and consumer rights. The opinion on "
A European framework for regulatory responses to the
collaborative economy
" aims to push for a common European response and a legal environment
where platforms, users and service providers act on a level playing
field.
Rapporteur Peter Florianschütz (AT/PES), Member of the
Vienna State Parliament and member of the City Council of Vienna, said:
"
Platforms are transforming our cities, from Airbnb to Uber. We need
a European regulatory framework to make sure the sharing economy
does not affect negatively our citizens. In particular, affordable
housing has become a key concern, as short-term lettings via Airbnb
and other platforms are driving up rents in many cities in Europe.
The new European framework should strengthen the role of local
authorities in regulating the collaborative economy, according to
the local situation, and helping them ensure cities remain liveable
for all people.
"
Improving administrative capacity for the well-being of citizens
Administrative capacity – which means the skills and ability to prepare
and implement high quality public services - is a key element to
successfully manage investments and reforms that are necessary for
achieving long-term EU policy objectives. "
Improving administrative capacity of local and regional
authorities to strengthen investments and structural reforms in
2021-2027
" is the title and goal of an opinion drafted by Manuela Bora (IT/PES), regional councillor and
regional minister of the Marche region.
"
Improving the administrative capacity of local and regional
authorities means better services to citizens and better access to
European Union funds for cities and regions. It is therefore a key
element for the successful implementation of investment and
sustainable long-term reforms. This is why we call for the next
Multiannual Financial Framework to have adequate resources for
capacity-building directly accessible by regions and cities
", said rapporteur Bora.
EU competition policy needs address current challenges
An undistorted and effective competition policy is an essential
foundation for the internal market and is therefore an essential
foundation for the European project. The impact of the EU's competition
policy on local and regional authorities is the concern of the CoR's
opinion on the "
Annual competition policy report 2018
" with special emphasis on the connections to state aid, digitalisation
and Brexit as well as economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Rapporteur Dominique Leveque (FR/PES), Mayor of
Aÿ-en-Champagne, said: "
An effective competition policy cannot be an end in itself, but it
needs to be adapted to the challenges the European Union and its
cities and regions are facing today, namely the climate and energy
transition, the digitalisation of our economy, and Brexit. To do
this, we need to go beyond the silos mentality when speaking about
competition policy, making it a key tool for building a fair and
sustainable Europe that leaves no people and no place behind.
"
The final adoption of all three opinions is scheduled for the CoR
plenary session on 4/5 December 2019.
Contact:
Carmen Schmidle
Tel. +32 (0)2 282 2366
carmen.schmidle@cor.europa.eu