Commitment for small and medium-sized enterprises

Rübig strongly advocated in the European Parliament the interests of about 20.8 million small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in Europe. They create 85 percent of all new jobs, employ two thirds of all employees and mainly contribute to innovation and growth.^[11] Overcoming the global economic crisis, requires in his view a reduction of costs for SME, in particular for startup companies, significantly less red-tape, innovative SME tax regimes and more focus on independent and entrepreneurial thinking in school education.^[12]

In order to better promote his political ideas in the public debate, Rübig founded in May 2012 together with the Danish MEP Bendt Bendtsen and the Bulgarian MEP Nadezhda Neynsky the business organization of the European People's Party, SME Europe.^[13] In February 2013, the General Assembly decided to choose Rübig as the Honorary President of the organization.^[14] Since 2003, he is also the President of SME Global.^[15] Furthermore, between 1999 and 2000 he was elected President of the SME Circle of the EPP Parliamentary Group, from 2000 to 2001 Co-President of the SME Union and from 2001 to 2003 he held this same position alone as its President.^[16]

Reduction of roaming charges

As responsible rapporteur in the industry committee and one of the most active supporters of the citizens initiative Europeans for Fair Roaming it was Rübig, as the key actor, who enforced the roaming rules at European level.^[17] Against massive opposition of the telecom industry, following his initiative, the costs for cross-border mobile calls, text messaging and mobile data transfers were gradually reduced. From 1 July 2013 on, mobile communication providers are only allowed to charge consumers following maximum prices: 24 cents (active calls), 7 cents (passive calls), 8 cents (text messages) and 45 cents (1 MB data packet). These ceilings will be again reduced before the summer 2014.^[18] Regardless of a further reduction of these ceilings in summer 2014, Rübig pushes now for a general abolition of roaming charges before the elections to the European Parliament in May 2014. In the New York Times he called upon the responsible Commissioner Neelie Kroes for swift and concrete implementation plans.^[19]

Science politician

As key politician at European level in the field of science, Rübig advocated for a significant increase of research funding.^[20] In the negotiations for Horizon 2020,^[21] which will follow the 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), he supports the restructuring of the available sources towards more funding for small and medium-sized enterprises.^[22] At the same time, he requests in the ongoing budget negotiations for the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) an increase of means for growth generating measures in education, science and research. According to him, ultimately it always have been technological innovations that have shaped the history of mankind. Hence, today's investments into research, shape Europe's destiny of tomorrow.^[23]

Responsible and efficient use of tax money

As member of the Budgetary Control Committee, Rübig stood for a responsible and efficient use of tax money. Instead of only one-sided increases of single budget items, he generally advocates to examine in detail the use of tax money on its efficacy, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness. Alone, if this is ensured, it is justified according to him to spend more money on single areas, otherwise we have to achieve more with less means.^[24]

Energy transition

As expert on energy policies in the European Parliament, Rübig worked on a fundamental rethink in the energy policy of the European Union. He demands an effective and lasting support of renewable energies, a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, as well as a significant increase of energy efficiency. According to him, reforms have to be designed in a way that energy prices remain affordable and that the population benefits from an increased security of supply. Instead of a system of sanctions, targeted incentives should motivate the population to actively engage in the transformation of energy policies.^[25] In contrary to many of his colleagues in the European Parliament, Rübig suggests not to support all forms of low carbon energies at the same level, but only the safest, most cost-efficient and cleanest energies. He justifies his refusal of dangerous nuclear energy with reference to the high security risks and the enormous costs in the life cycle of such a power plant (construction, operation, decommissioning, final storage).^[26]

Removal of global trade barriers

As EPP spokesperson in the WTO steering committee of the European Parliament, Rübig advocated for a sustainable removal of global trade barriers. In his view, developing countries can only break out of the poverty trap by opening their economies to international trade and investments, whereas protectionist measures have the opposite effect. In this context, free-trade should be accompanied by measures to improve infrastructure, a better education system for young people, as well as a well-functioning administrative and judicial system.^[27] Furthermore, Rübig argues in favour of giving companies the possibility to actively participate in dispute settlement procedures of the World Trade Organization, instead of only giving this possibility to national governments. Altogether, such a system would lead to a much higher degree of legal security in international trade.^[28] In the debate about the possible Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement with the United States, he supports the initiative due to the positive effects for the global economic development. In case of an agreement until 2015, he expects 400,000 new jobs and on average a financial relief of 545 Euro for each household every year.^[29][30]

Criticism

As a self declared expert in key issues about the internet, Rübing voted for restrictions of the net neutrality and is also jointly responsible for the legislative text. His opinion on this issue is mainly based on his thoughts that soon the internet will be overloaded, and emergency calls will be delayed due to increasing streaming traffic (like netflix etc.).^[32]