09/04/2026
Following the 19 March European Council summit, Member States are considering a “tracker” to monitor progress on a limited number of priority legislative files linked to competitiveness. As reported by Contexte, this internal tool would take the form of a dashboard allowing EU ambassadors in Coreper to regularly follow negotiations in both the Council and the European Parliament.
The tracker would cover around ten key files identified in the summit conclusions, including the digital euro, banking union, and a proposed “industrial accelerator” featuring elements of “European preference.” Beyond coordination, it would enable closer political oversight by European Council President António Costa between summits.
This move would fit squarely within the European Council’s broader deregulation push in the name of competitiveness. From the first ten omnibus packages to a revised Better Regulation toolbox – skipping public consultation and impact assessment requirements, the message from leaders is clear – regulate less and faster to reduce alleged friction for business.
But speed comes with trade-offs.
While presented as a technical tool to improve efficiency, the tracker also raises political questions. By defining priorities upstream and closely monitoring progress, Member States may further shape both the pace and direction of negotiations – potentially reducing the European Parliament’s room to influence outcomes.
Transparency is another concern. The discussions point to an internal coordination mechanism, with limited visibility into how priorities are selected and followed. As decision-making becomes more centralised, access to the process risks becoming more uneven.
What may seem like a technical adjustment ultimately reflects a broader shift: as the EU seeks to move faster on competitiveness, the balance of power may tilt further towards the European Council – raising familiar questions about democratic scrutiny and institutional balance.