Commissioner Hansen Takes EU Reform Pitch to Luxembourg Economic Forum
Speaking to business leaders, the European Commissioner framed structural reform as the key priority for the autumn legislative season.
By Aldo Verheyen · Filed Saturday, 19 September 2026 · Last updated 07:40 CET
What happened
European Commissioner Christophe Hansen delivered a speech on reforming the European Union at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce's autumn economic forum on September 16. Addressing business executives and policymakers under the theme 'Reforming Europe', Hansen emphasized the importance of confronting major structural challenges facing the European project as the EU institutions resume work following the summer break.
Why it matters
Early-autumn economic forums host key opportunities for Commissioners to test political messaging on business audiences. For European companies, these engagements offer early signals on where the executive branch plans to lean on regulatory relief, competitiveness, and structural policy changes over the coming year.
The Brussels angle
The post-summer return to work—known in the Bubble as the *rentrée*—is a sacred ritual where Commissioners tour national capitals to rally enthusiasm before the heavy machinery of Brussels lawmaking takes over. Pitching broad reforms to a friendly chamber of commerce is the traditional calm before the storm of negotiating precise legislative texts with twenty-seven member state governments and a watchful European Parliament.
What happens next
The Commission will continue outlining its thematic priorities as the EU legislative machinery returns to full speed in Brussels over the coming weeks.
Written from these sources
Facts are extracted from primary institutional material and written independently by The Gazette desk.
Brussels Correspondent · European Commission
Aldo VerheyenAldo Verheyen is The Gazette's Brussels Correspondent, covering the European Commission, its College and the art of the leaked draft. He has reported from the Berlaymont since 2019 and translates proposals into plain English before they become law.
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