Q3/2019 - European Union

Brussels, July – September 2019

At its first session, the new European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen future President of the European Commission. In her opening statement, she announced the challenges in cyber space and digitalisation to be priority issues of her coming five years in office. She mentioned in particular the handling of big data, artificial intelligence and the introduction of a digital tax.

In the new commission, Danish Margrethe Vestager in her role as designated Vice-President will be responsible for key aspects of developing the European Digital Single Market and for Europe’s cyber and digital strategy. Ms Vestager is planned to chair a new inter-sectoral group, the "Commissioners’ Group on a Europe fit for the Digital Age"[1].  She will have the task to ensure that Europe will regain a leadership role in the global development. In doing this, she is expected to duly take into consideration the "human and ethical approach" that is distinguishes Europe. In the former European Commission, Vestager was responsible for competition control. In this function, she also dealt with the market power of the large US-American Internet platforms.

An important role in the field of cyber and digital policy of the EU will be assumed by the designated French Commissioner Sylvie Goulard. Goulard will be responsible for the development of the European Single Market. In her mission letter she is entitled with the task to enhance Europe’s technological sovereignty. She shall create a framework which enables Europe to tackle the digital transition. Her responsibilities will include the envisaged "Digital Services Act", a new "Digital Education Action Plan" and a coordinated European approach on artificial intelligence. Moreover, Goulard is to deal with cyber security and the certification of hardware and software. ("I want you to focus on building a real single market for cybersecurity, notably looking at certification, implementing rules on security of network and information systems, rapid emergency response strategies and other relevant areas")[2].

Cyber and digital will also be part of the portfolios of the other EU Commissioners, in particular for the Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel, who was previously responsible for information society and shall now take over the portfolio "innovation and youth". The Commissioners from Belgium, Didier Reynders (Justice), from the Czech Republic, Vera Jourova (Values and Transparency), and from Sweden, Ylva Johansson (Home Affairs), will also get involved with the topic and collaborate in the "Commissioners’ Group on a Europe fit for the Digital Age" chaired by Margrethe Vestager. None of the mission letters, however, mentions the term "Internet governance".

Mehr zum Thema
Q3/2019EU
  1. [1] Misson Letter from Ursula von der Leyen to Margrethe Vestager, Brüssel, 10. September 2019: Your Mission: I would like to entrust you with the role of Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age. Over the next five years, Europe must focus on maintaining our digital leadership where we have it, catching up where we lag behind and moving first on new-generation technologies. This must cut across all of our work, from industry to innovation. At the same time, we must ensure that the European way is characterised by our human and ethical approach. New technologies can never mean new values. In striving for digital leadership, we must focus on making markets work better for consumers, business and society, and must support industry to adapt to globalisation and the twin climate and digital transitions. We need companies that compete on equal terms and consumers that can benefit from lower prices, greater choice and better quality. As Executive Vice-President, you will have a dual function. You will chair the Commissioners’ Group on a Europe fit for the Digital Age. In addition, you will be responsible for the competition portfolio. In leading the work on a Europe fit for the Digital Age, you will ensure all policy dimensions are fully taken into account. A Europe fit for the digital age the digital transition will have an impact on every aspect of our economy and society. Your task will be to ensure that Europe fully grasps the potential of the digital age and strengthens its industry and innovation capacity. This will be a key part of strengthening our technological leadership and strategic autonomy. I want you to co-lead our work on a new long-term strategy for Europe’s industrial future, working together with the Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People. In implementing the strategy, you will work with the Member States and involve businesses of all sizes. You should maximise the contribution of investment in research and innovation in supporting our policy objectives. You will ensure cross-fertilisation between civil, defence and space industries. You will co-lead the work on a new SME strategy, working together with the Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People. This should focus on supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups, notably by reducing the regulatory burden and enabling them to make the most of digitisation. • In the first 100 days of our mandate, you will coordinate the work on a European approach on artificial intelligence, including its human and ethical implications. This should also look at how we can use and share non-personalised big data to develop new technologies and business models that create wealth for our societies and our businesses. • I want you to coordinate the work on upgrading our liability and safety rules for digital platforms, services and products as part of a new Digital Services Act. In this context, you should ensure the working conditions of platform workers are addressed. You will coordinate the work on digital taxation to find a consensus at international level by the end of 2020 or to propose a fair European tax.“ Siehe: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/mission-letter-margrethe-vestager_2019_en.pdf
  2. [2] Misson Letter from Ursula von der Leyen to Sylvie Goulard, Brüssel, 10. September 2019, The digital economy and society: Your task for the next five years is to put in place the right framework to allow Europe to make the most of the digital transition, while ensuring that our enduring values are respected as new technologies develop.• I want you to contribute to the work on enhancing Europe’s technological sovereignty. This means investing in the next frontier of technologies, such as blockchain, high-performance computing, algorithms, and data-sharing and data-usage tools. It also means jointly defining standards for 5G networks and new-generation technologies. • As part of this, you will lead the work on a coordinated European approach on artificial intelligence and on the new Digital Services Act. • I want you to focus on building a real single market for cybersecurity, notably looking at certification, implementing rules on security of network and information systems, rapid emergency response strategies and other relevant areas. You should lead the work to build a joint Cyber Unit to better protect ourselves. • As part of a transition that supports people, I want you to contribute to an updated Digital Education Action Plan. This should focus on digital literacy and equipping young people and adults with the skills they need for life and work in the digital age.“ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/mission-letter-sylvie-goulard_en.pdf