Using the key European Parliament debate on competitiveness in presence of Ursula von der Leyen as an opportunity, ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki delivered a sharp assessment of the record of the European Commission, arguing that Europe is drifting away from the principles of freedom, competition and open debate that once underpinned its strength.

“People want a normal free market where green energy wins if it is cheaper, and where ideas prevail if they are stronger. But if you continue to censor both the free market and free speech, people will conclude that you fear the truth and you will destroy a project that was founded on good principles”, Mr Jaki said.

Mr Jaki warned that ideological policymaking, particularly in the energy sector, has contributed to higher prices, declining industrial performance and growing public frustration.

Mr Jaki, said:

“Are you wondering about the source of the European Union’s weakness?

The key word is competition. Europe is becoming bankrupt because, instead of being a place of free markets and free speech, you are determined to destroy competition — in energy and in ideas — whenever it challenges your ideology.

“How do you intend to build growth and prosperity while banning discussion on certain topics and censoring the internet?

“You have achieved the impossible. Even in one of the most pro-European countries, Poland, the number of people considering leaving the EU has multiplied in recent years.”

Jaki stressed that Europe’s long-term strength depends on restoring genuine competition, reducing the cost burden on citizens and businesses, and ensuring that debate remains open and pluralistic. He underlined that citizens across Europe expect policies grounded in economic realism, technological openness and respect for fundamental freedoms.

The ECR Group reiterates that restoring competitiveness requires a return to fair market conditions, open democratic debate and policies that reflect the expectations of Europe’s citizens.

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Mr Jaki’s speech reads in full:

Dear President, dear Madame President von der Leyen,

Are you wondering about the source of the European Union’s weakness?

The key word is competition. Europe is becoming bankrupt because, instead of being a place of free markets and free speech, you are determined to destroy competition — in energy and in ideas — whenever it challenges your ideology.

Your own Draghi report proves it. European companies still pay two to three times more for electricity than in the United States, and four to five times more for gas. Energy-intensive industry has seen production fall by 10 to 15 per cent since 2021.

So why is this happening, when cheaper energy sources exist? One reason is your ideological insistence on the Green Deal — the rationing of the free market. And in this very session, you have tightened climate criteria even further. Do you really want to destroy Europe completely?

The same applies to freedom of speech. How do you intend to build growth and prosperity while banning discussion on certain topics and censoring the internet?

It is like banning competition in a free market. On the one hand, you block normal competition for green energy — and the result is clear: we pay many times more for energy than the United States. On the other hand, you suppress competition of ideas, censoring views online that do not fit your narrative. Reports exposing pressure to censor criticism of the EU, migration and gender ideology only deepen the feeling among many citizens that they are excluded and no longer represented by the European project.

Added to this are abuses of power and decisions that undermine democratic trust, including the cancellation of elections.

You have achieved the impossible. Even in one of the most pro-European countries, Poland, the number of people considering leaving the EU has multiplied in recent years.

People want a normal free market — where green energy wins if it is cheaper, and where ideas prevail if they are stronger. But if you continue to censor both the free market and free speech, people will conclude that you fear the truth — and you will destroy a project that was founded on good principles.