Grayling, a global leader in Public Affairs, in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce in Prague hosted an exclusive panel discussion titled Charting the Course: The European Union Post-Election and the Business Imperative. The event aimed to equip businesses with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the evolving EU landscape following the upcoming elections. The discussion, which was attended by 20 representatives of BCC Prague member companies, featured insights from distinguished speakers, including Pavel Telička, former Member of the European Parliament and the first Czech European Commissioner, Štěpán Černý, Director General of the European Affairs Section at the Office of the Government, and Jessica Brobald, Managing Director of Grayling Brussels Office. These experts delved into how the new European Commission is expected to influence the business environment and provided guidance on strategic engagement on both national and European levels. Key topics of the discussion included the expected political trends and voter concerns, the potential shifts in regulations, and the strategies businesses should adopt to navigate the post-election regulatory environment. The speakers emphasized the importance of proactive engagement in the legislative process and highlighted the need for businesses to form strategic alliances and present well-prepared impact assessments.
Pavel Telička, former Member of the European Parliament and the first Czech European Commissioner, highlighted the need for businesses to engage early in the legislative process: “In general, one of the problems for companies is that they often come to stakeholders late, when a legislative proposal has already been written and is in the legislative process. Companies should rather come even before the legislation is drafted and come with an initiative, something that can have impact on the industry.”
Štěpán Černý, Director General of the European Affairs Section at the Office of the Government, discussed a significant shift from the Green Deal towards a more industrial focus, underscoring the necessity for competitiveness: “We are at a point where competitiveness is in the mind of all member states, the risk is that every member state will push for investments to happen in their country.”
Jessica Brobald, Managing Director of Grayling Brussels Office, addressed the so-called “Green Deal fatigue” and the pressing need for the EU to maintain its competitiveness on the global stage. She stressed the importance of thorough impact assessments and active industry participation in policymaking: “Industry needs to come up with constructive solutions; a lot of companies come to Brussels just saying no to everything,” Brobald remarked. “Decision makers are not always aware of the impact regulations have on the industry; it is important that industry makes its voice heard. You should never take it for granted that the decision maker understands your business.”
The event highlighted the critical role of public affairs in shaping a favorable regulatory environment. Attendees gained valuable insights into the upcoming changes and practical advice on how to navigate the post-election EU landscape to drive business growth.
