18 February 2026 – Significant resistance is emerging against the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), one of the central political projects of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Criticized as protectionist and overly bureaucratic, the presentation, scheduled for the end of February, now risks being postponed for the third time.
Growing Opposition to the EU Industrial Accelerator Act
The ambitious plan for an “Industrial Accelerator Act,” driven by Ursula von der Leyen and spearheaded by French Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné, appears to be facing substantial headwinds. The draft presentation has already been postponed twice.
Controversial Even Within the Commission
According to reports, nine political departments within the Commission have now voiced broad criticism of the latest draft. The presentation date has once again been shifted, from 25 to 26 February 2026, and now carries an explicit “to be confirmed” note on the Commission’s agenda.
This does not bode well for the draft regulation widely criticised as excessively bureaucratic and protectionist. As with several recent initiatives, the proposal bears the hallmark of French industrial policy and would structurally disadvantage small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in public procurement, compared to large corporations.
Several analyses have now come to the conclusion that, from a purely factual point of view, the much-promised reduction in bureaucracy cannot be achieved, but that Europe will only end up under complete state control and, in our opinion, move ever closer to dictatorship from Brussels.
Foreign Investment Restrictions Raise Further Concerns
Proposals attributed to Séjourné that foreign investors should be limited to a maximum of 49% direct or indirect ownership in European companies are expected to meet strong resistance, particularly from member states reliant on external capital.
Europe’s financial markets are already considered relatively unattractive for venture capital. Additional ownership restrictions would likely further diminish Europe’s appeal as an investment destination.
The current draft suggests that the Commission’s proposals struggle to align with fundamental economic realities. Critics point to the nearly 3,000-page CBAM regulation as a cautionary example of how attempts at regulation have resulted in greater complexity rather than simplification.
It remains to be seen whether the Commission will attempt to label the proposal as “urgent” – a tactic observers believe has previously been used to push through controversial measures such as the new steel tariffs.
ZEW Index Signals Growing Economic Discontent
Economic dissatisfaction is also reflected in the ZEW Economic Sentiment Index for the euro area. After improving in January, the index declined again in February.
For Germany, expectations for economic development failed to meet forecasts. Analysts had anticipated a rise to 65.8 points, yet the index fell unexpectedly to 58.3-below the January 2026 level.
Industry Confidence Eroding
Commenting on the developments, Thorsten Gerber, CEO of the Gerber Group, stated: “This is what it looks like when the business community, especially SMEs, gradually loses confidence in those in charge.” He added: “Brussels should finally start appointing people based on competence rather than connections.”
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