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Policy Brief: Speed vs. Legitimacy in EU Policymaking: A False Choice

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Following the EU leaders' retreat at the picturesque Alden Biesen Castle, Commission President von der Leyen outlined sweeping reforms to be delivered by 2027. The narrative is clear: EU policymakers need to act fast or the EU risks falling behind. Under this pressure, democratic safeguards are increasingly treated as obstacles rather than essentials. This misses the point: good governance is not an onerous liability but ensures high-quality policy decisions and maintains public trust. The Commission’s ongoing review of the Better Regulation Guidelines is the chance to prove that speed and democratic legitimacy are compatible, not competing objectives.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19454443

Authors: Schewe, Lea, Oberthür, Sebastian, Otto, Simon

Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Language: English

Topic: European Union Policy and Governance

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Commission