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The European Union ’s chair , Ursula von der Leyen , was confirmed in the role for another five years Thursday after Member of Parliament voted overpoweringly to re - elect her .
The graduated table of her support ( 401 votes for versus 284 against with 15 abstentions ) — a far unfluctuating endorsement than last clip around — may say more about lawgiver ’ concerns over rise geopolitical uncertainties , with state of war still torment in Ukraine and the U.S. headed for an election in November that could revert Donald Trump to the White House by 2025 , than reflecting ardent passion for her leadership . But her ability to detain serene in fourth dimension of crisis appears to have won her grudging respect at the least .
So what does a vote for continuity of the EU ’s leadership mean for the bloc ’s technical school policy through to 2029 ?
Von der Leyen has already press ahead with major reforms in digital insurance policy . Her first term saw the EU affirm theDigital Markets Act(DMA ) and theDigital Services Act(DSA ) — two landmark regulations that take design at exploitative Big Tech business role model andcould forcea major resetin political platform operations .
The EU also passed legislative measure aimed at enablingmore data point access for businesses , researchers , the public sectorandconsumers . And tech insurance policy was centerstage with her decision to prioritizea peril - based regulation for hokey intelligenceat a time when many others call back it too early to intervene . Now , with generative AI accelerating business organisation over the risks of deepfakes and other AI - driven impairment , her decision to make surethe EU has a rulebook in placeseems rather prescient .
Von der Leyen ’s second term look plant to concenter on deepening the shock of this other bout of digital policymaking — with a well-defined assurance to “ ramp up and intensify ” enforcement of the DMA and DSA , perpolitical guidelinesshe published to come with her electioneering for a 2nd term .
Enforcing the EU’s digital rulebook
Enforcement face jell to dial up , particularly in the area of e - commerce . Designated platforms subject to the Commission ’s oversight here admit AliExpress , Amazon , Booking , Google Shopping , Meta Marketplace , Shein , Temuand Zalando .
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Some new tech policymaking may also be on the horizon with a possible ( further ) tightening of rules around children and young mass ’s use of social culture medium . Von der Leyen has committed to an EU - wide inquiry on “ the all-encompassing impacts of social media on well - being ” during the second term .
There could also be a bigger clampdown on dark pattern design . “ We will undertake unethical techniques used by on-line chopine by fill action on the addictive design of online services , such as myriad roll , default option automobile play or constant energy , ” she write . “ We will also firmly battle the growing trend of abusive behaviour online with an action plan against cyberbullying . ”
While additional legislative measure are possible , both these field could be treat by the Commission sharpeningits enforcement of the DSA .
Another stated focus for a von der Leyen second terminal figure is on “ protecting our republic , ” as she put it — which mean grappling with theongoing challenge posed by online disinformation .
Again this might interpret into stepping up enforcement of the DSA , which requires big political platform to identify and mitigate systemic risks in this area . The EU already has strong powers to go after tech giants that do n’t clean up their act .
Her pronunciamento also commits to addressing “ the ever - more realistic deepfakes that have impacted elections across Europe ” — with the EU president saying the Commission will ensure that transparency requirements in the shiny new EU AI Act are implemented . She also says the bloc will “ strengthen ” its access to AI - produced content that run a risk misleading hoi polloi . How exactly remains to be see .
Growing AI and boosting competitiveness
In addition to double down on key board laid down in her first term , there are also signs von der Leyen wants to rectify her approach in some expanse .
Boosting Europe ’s fight is a particular focus for the 2d term , including through an expanded focus on supporting homegrown AI innovations .
We ’ve seena taster of this already , withCommission design to reconfigure the axis ’s web of supercomputers for AI theoretical account training . But more support measuring are planned , including for AI startup and research — the latter via a new European AI Research Council .
Her pronunciamento also repeat a message of importunity around the need for the bloc to unlock greater data access to foster competitiveness and exposit purpose of digital services .
Here she reiterates the use of data point entree in drive AI development and other “ frontier technologies , ” as she puts it — calling for a “ data rotation ” and trust to a “ European Data Union Strategy ” to simplify data access for business and others by institute a “ decipherable and coherent legal framework ” for data share-out . Though her manifesto send to maintaining the EU ’s exist “ high ” banner of privacy and protection . So there ’s a clear balance required here .
Elsewhere in her manifesto , there ’s a push for a new approach to competition insurance to dial up innovation and competitiveness , include around M&A , which sounds mean to profit startups versus incumbent giants — with von der Leyen write that the bloc should be “ more supportive of companies scaling up in globose markets . ”
Better support for firms who may be the target of killer acquirement is also talk about . And she wants to see more progress on ironing out more of the wrinkles in the EU ’s single - securities industry construct — which can still resemble more of a patchwork comfort in the grammatical case of on-line service — again with the goal of helping homegrown startup to surmount .
A von der Leyen - led 2d term Commission also looks gear up to expend effort on cutting carmine tape in a bid to promote business growth — responding to the repeated criticism that the EU ’s lovemaking of rulemaking is a barrier to homegrown conception .
For instance , her manifesto commit to offer a “ new EU wide legal status to help forward-looking companies originate ” — which she says will “ take the form of a so - call 28th authorities to allow fellowship to benefit from a simpler , harmonised hardening of dominion in sure areas . ”
Who benefits and how exactly remains to be seen , but it suggests some form of cosmopolitan pan - EU regulative sandbox thought to support startups , in plus to the AI - specific sandbox the AI Act is already show in .
Biotech startups could also be sic for a encouragement , as her next Commission will nominate a new European Biotech Act in 2025 to make it easier for researchers and startups to commercialise lab and factory developments . “ This will be part of a broad scheme for European Life Sciences to look at how we can fend for our green and digital transition and develop mellow - value technologies , ” say von der Leyen .
Summing up her primal ingredient of her policy approach in an executive note , she summate : “ The world is in a race that will dictate who will be the first to climate neutrality and first to build up the technologies that will mold the global economy for decades to come . Europe can not afford to fall behind and lose its free-enterprise boundary in this race , nor can it exit any strategic vulnerability exposed . ”
