We definitely need more public investment capacity, as I said, like with the board objectives

of having an industrial strategy and making sure that we create solutions for all layers

of society.

And next to this, there is also a really important part of what the EIB can do.

The mission.

You're a man EU Watchdog Radio.

Welcome to the new episode of EU Watchdog Radio.

I'm Keara Kasati from Counterbalance and I'm here with Frank Vanapskot. I'm the director

of Counterbalance. Today we'll be talking about the new upcoming European Commission and what it is

doing about public investment. And we also talk about the role of the Draghi report, which is talked about

a lot because it has a lot of influence on the new commission and especially how it deals

with public investment in the European economy. A few weeks ago, President von der Leyen introduced

the new commissioner candidates and their respective portfolios, with two key themes

emerging, investments and competitiveness. In her 2024 political guidelines, she announced the creation

of an investment commission. Indeed, this is what we need, a coordinated EU approach

to ensure sufficient public investment capacity

that is critical to addressing the growing investment gaps that hinder a just transition, our climate goals and social cohesion.

Despite the branding, it doesn't seem that this is the direction that it will take,

but rather more a commission for investors.

So what is driving this shifting focus?

We started with the elections, no, that took place in June.

It was much anticipated and there was a lot of fear that the extreme right would win a lot and that there would be important setbacks on the environmental agenda, etc.

...