The European Union‘s European Parliament will vote in July on a tech sovereignty proposal. Led by pro-Bitcoin lawmaker Sarah Knafo, the initiative, submitted through the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), seeks to decrease Europe’s reliance on foreign technology and create a stronger digital ecosystem.
On June 3, the ITRE committee voted for the non-binding report with 63 votes in favor and 5 against. The proposal lays out a general vision for European digital sovereignty that will focus on important sectors like AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, and blockchain.
Knafo said that the EU must act now to catch up with the tech giants like China and the United States. According to her, Europe possesses talent and resources but does not have the political structure to drive innovation at scale.
Knafo stated, “Our engineers and scientists can make it happen, provided we offer the right environment.”
According to the report, we need to remove investment barriers, support energy-efficient computing technologies, and encourage blockchain infrastructure while protecting the user’s privacy. Although it is not legally binding yet, it lays down the political priorities that could underpin future regulations and funding schemes.
Political Impact and Debate
The upcoming vote has sparked both support and concern. Knafo believes right-wing parties will support this, but pressure from left-wing parties could affect them.
Will a parliament made up of 720 members be able to deliver? Other critics think that real change may come from national governments. Nonetheless, many stakeholders are seeing the initiative as a push towards a techno-independent Europe.
Digital Euro and Bitcoin Policy
Knafo also opposes the European Central Bank’s suggested digital euro as part of her overall digital policy. She pushed for a strategic Bitcoin reserve aimed at enhancing financial independence. However, ECB officials, including Christine Lagarde, rejected the idea, stating that the reserves must remain “liquid, secure, and safe.”
Conclusion
The upcoming vote in the European Parliament on tech sovereignty could change the course of the digital future of the EU. The proposal is a strong strategy that seeks to make Europe independent technologically by calling to invest in innovation, user data protection, and less reliance on foreign technology. Whether or not it eventually becomes a law, the July vote will mark a significant milestone in Europe’s digital journey.
