"The future of the automotive sector lies not in building low-cost mini-electric cars, but rather in stopping the absurd ban on combustion engine vehicles by 2035 to preserve Europe’s freedom and technological sovereignty". ECR Group President Marco Marsilio’s remarks were part of his address during the opening ceremony of the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels, in the presence of European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. 

The European Week of Regions and Cities serves as the occasion to present the CoR’s annual report on the state of European regions and cities, which notably included data on car production in the EU in the last five years, which is at an astonishing 46% decline. Marsilio attributes this result to the "reckless decisions taken in Brussels”, which he describes as having devastating effects on our territories. 

On the European Commission’s proposal for the new Multiannual Financial Framework, President Marsilio praised Vice-President Fitto's commitment and efforts in making the voices of European regions heard: "Mr Fitto fought long and hard to protect less developed regions ensuring that part of the MFF resources is dedicated to them".

On behalf of the ECR Group, Marsilio said that whilst conservative regional leaders welcome the increased focus on defence and competitiveness in the MFF proposal, they are concerned over the plan to dilute cohesion policy in national plans. "Cohesion funds have a history of success and have enabled several European regions to invest in infrastructure and services", recalled President Marsilio. A more agile and efficient EU budget, with regions at its core, is what the Abruzzo leader calls for: “it is us, regional and local leaders who know what is best for our territories in terms of infrastructure, investments and services". 

From the ban on the combustion engine to the centralisation of cohesion funds, President Marsilio urged for such decisions to be reversed as they are "crucial in guaranteeing a prosperous future for our citizens".