Corporate bankruptcies in Europe

20.3.2023

Question for written answer  E-000912/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
André Rougé (ID)

Markus J. Beyrer, the Director General of the employers’ association BusinessEurope, has described the state of European businesses as ‘alarming’. His comments were in response to the near 26.5% increase in the number of corporate bankruptcies between the third and fourth quarters of 2022.

In France, 143 500 jobs are threatened by bankruptcy. In 2022 alone, 42 500 businesses closed down, which is almost 50% more than in 2021. SMEs, which employ most of our citizens, have been hit particularly hard. However, not so long ago, many of them had healthy and stable balance sheets. After COVID-19, it is now the rising cost of energy that is making our businesses sick.

Many businesses are therefore calling for simplified regulation, better investment incentives and a reduction in energy costs. This goes hand in hand with the need to promote economic patriotism and localism.

How will the Commission – effectively – prevent the bankruptcies of our businesses?

Submitted: 20.3.2023