Picture this: A united Europe where businesses thrive without border hassles, consumers enjoy affordable services, and innovation flows freely across nations—yet for far too long, this dream has been bogged down by half-measures and excuses. By 2028, we must make it a reality, not just a catchy phrase. This isn't mere rhetoric; it's a solemn pledge to Europeans craving actual progress over empty words. Leaders, take note—this is your moment to deliver.
But here's where it gets controversial... Many argue that the EU's single market has been cherry-picked like a buffet: Politicians grab the perks they like, scapegoat Brussels for the tough compromises, and let everyday people foot the bill through diluted policies and endless postponements. This political two-step—nodding in agreement publicly while backpedaling at home—has eroded trust in the system. It's time to halt this pattern. We need a fully integrated single market by 2028, focusing on real-world areas like energy, telecommunications, savings and investments, plus the unrestricted movement of knowledge and innovation.
To make this clearer for beginners, think of the single market as Europe's grand experiment in removing barriers so goods, services, capital, and people can move seamlessly across member states, much like how states in the U.S. operate without internal tariffs. A true single market in these key sectors promises hands-on advantages for everyone: Picture harmonized energy systems enabling easy cross-border electricity and gas trading, leading to steadier supplies and reduced bills when everything clicks (imagine no more price spikes from isolated grids during a cold snap). Unified telecom rules could slash roaming fees and break up local monopolies, offering superior service and broader coverage—like finally getting affordable, high-speed internet everywhere, even in rural areas previously ignored by big providers.
Then there's integrated capital markets: Savers would earn higher returns, funds would flow to budding companies, and small businesses could borrow at lower costs. And lifting roadblocks on research and data sharing? Students, researchers, and startups could team up effortlessly, scaling ideas without hitting national walls—envision a European scientist collaborating with peers in multiple countries without bureaucratic red tape, accelerating breakthroughs in medicine or tech.
In essence, this means more options, slashed expenses, enhanced prospects, and rapid advancements for all.
Building on this, Europe should embrace what some, including Enrico Letta, term the "28th regime"—a smart tool letting people and companies opt into consistent EU rules when national laws create roadblocks. Trailblazers shouldn't be held back by vetoes from a single stubborn capital. If one country's delays deprive others of gains, EU law should provide a detour to ensure those benefits arrive. This isn't just efficient; it's equitable and protective. The current patchwork leaves families paying extra for power, students with uneven online access, and entrepreneurs confined to narrow domestic arenas. Geopolitically, it's risky: Scattered energy setups heighten exposure to unfriendly suppliers (think dependency on volatile foreign gas), uneven financial systems worsen economic jolts, and divided telecoms and data rules weaken control over vital networks and information flows.
And this is the part most people miss... Deadlines aren't optional—they compel decisions and ignite resolve, or else procrastination wins. European leaders must commit to a firm, unbendable timeline for wrapping up the single market in energy, telecoms, finance, and knowledge by 2028. Here's the roadmap:
First, formalize the "fifth freedom"—the liberty for knowledge and innovation to circulate freely—by dismantling obstacles to joint research, data swaps, academic alliances, and movement for experts in these fields. For instance, imagine a young inventor in Portugal easily partnering with labs in Germany and France, speeding up green tech innovations.
Second, implement EU-wide standards where national holdouts stall momentum. By kicking off the 28th-regime idea, forward-thinking nations and their people can reap rewards, vetoes be damned.
Third, dismantle energy barriers through speedy cross-border connectors, standardized grid and market regulations, and collective buying to dodge wasteful overlaps. Unify telecoms by ditching heavy national permits, supporting continent-wide operators, and fostering rules that prize rivalry and reach—think nationwide 5G without dead zones.
Fourth, finalize the Capital Markets Union via the Savings and Investments Union, tying finance to tangible growth and directing capital toward Europe's priorities, like breakthroughs in digital tech, security, and combating climate shifts. As a real-world example, this could mean easier funding for startups fighting climate change, turning ideas into jobs and cleaner futures.
Completing the single market must pair with fortified security and adaptability. With billions poured into defense, those funds shouldn't just inflate national egos. We require a defense single market: Compatible gear, group buying, common benchmarks, and cooperative manufacturing. Procurement should forge unified strengths—not 27 mismatched systems that can't coordinate, leaving Europe vulnerable in crises.
Societal toughness counts too. Threats from authoritarian forces misuse fake news, deepen social rifts, and undermine faith in democracy. Countering this involves bolstering communities alongside regulating online platforms—investing in civic education and digital literacy to build resistant societies.
We also need honesty on expansion. Ukraine and Moldova's grit against Russian hostility showcases democratic resolve, urging swift action. As former Commission head Jacques Delors noted, enlargement is our obligation—not charity, but a savvy bet on Europe's stability and wealth. Extending the single market to the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova, with strict checks on law and democracy, secures borders and boosts economic ties.
Europe stands at a crossroads: Drift toward fragmentation, with isolated markets, wasted potential, brittle communities, and creeping authoritarianism? Or push for unity—a single market slashing costs, sharpening competitiveness, bolstering defenses, and rebuilding public confidence?
Do you believe this 2028 deadline will spark real change, or is it destined to join Europe's long list of unmet promises? And here's a controversial twist—some say enlargement dilutes the EU's core identity, risking instability rather than strength. What do you think: Duty or dilution? Share your views and debate in the comments below—we'd love to hear your take!
Delors once said Europe needs a soul; today, it craves action. Let's bolster our protections and communities, honor our commitments to neighbors, and cross the finish line. Let's get it done by 2028.
Enrico Letta is president of the Jacques Delors Institute and a former prime minister of Italy. Pascal Lamy is vice-president of the Paris Peace Forum and a former European commissioner for Trade. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović is co-chair of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board and a former president of Croatia. They are all members of the Governing Board of the new Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation.
