Digital Sovereignty in Europe: Protecting the European Digital Model in the Current Global Context
2026-05-12T16:00:00+00:00
2026-05-12T18:00:00+00:00
https://www.expert-europe.eu//medias/image/thumbnail_160365615769fcb2dded680.png
European Parliament
Rue Wiertz 60
Brussels
1047
BE
S&D Group | Hosted by MEP Laura BALLARÍN CEREZA (S&D, Spain). Join us on May 12, 2026, at the European Parliament in Brussels for a high-level conference on Digital Sovereignty in Europe. Keynote speech by EVP Teresa Ribera. Panels will focus on the enforcement of the DSA, DMA, AI Act, and the strategy to advance Europe's digital sovereignty. MEP EVENT Digital Sovereignty in Europe: Protecting the European Digital Model in the Current Global Context Date : 12/05/2026 Time : 18:00 - 20:00 Location : Room ASP 3G2, European Parliament (Brussels) Live Stream Follow the live debates of the conference About the Event The event will address one of the most pressing challenges that the European Union is currently facing: how to ensure democratic accountability, consumer protection, and strategic autonomy in the digital space. At a time when a small number of platforms exert significant influence over public discourse, and as geopolitical tensions increasingly affect the enforcement of EU digital rules, this discussion aims to take stock and look ahead.The session will open with introductory remarks by myself, followed by a keynote speech by EVP Teresa Ribera.The programme will be structured around two panels:The first panel will examine the EU’s existing digital regulatory framework—globally pioneering instruments such as the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act and AI Act—and the challenges related to their effective implementation in the current geopolitical context, including growing external pressure on the EU’s digital acquis.The second panel will look forward, focusing on how to further develop the EU’s regulatory framework while strengthening its technological base. It will explore how to address remaining regulatory gaps and advance Europe’s digital sovereignty (PDF) through investment in strategic sectors, with a view to reducing dependencies and reinforcing Europe’s rules-based digital model. Hosted by +Laura BALLARÍN CEREZAMEP Spain Member of the European Parliament S&D Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament | PSOE Partido Socialista Obrero Español Laura BALLARÍN CEREZACommitteesCOORD IMCOInternal Market & Consumer ProtectionAFETForeign AffairsITREIndustry, Research & EnergyDelegationsDACPDelegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary AssemblyDAFRDAFR DelegationD-USD-US DelegationDMEDDelegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean× Speakers ⬇ ProgrammeTeresa RIBERAExecutive Vice-President of the European Commission (EVP)Clean Just and Competitive Transition +Christel SCHALDEMOSEMEP Denmark European Parliament Vice-President S&D Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament | S Socialdemokratiet Christel SCHALDEMOSECommitteesIMCOInternal Market & Consumer ProtectionEUDSEUDS CommitteeENVIEnvironment, Public Health & Food SafetyDelegationsD-JPDelegation for relations with JapanDEEADelegation for Northern cooperation & for relations with Switzerland & Norway & to the EU-Iceland & EEA Joint Parliamentary Committees×+Kim van SPARRENTAKMEP Netherlands Member of the European Parliament Greens Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance | GL-PvdA GroenLinks-PvdA Kim van SPARRENTAKCommitteesIMCOInternal Market & Consumer ProtectionEUDSEUDS CommitteeEMPLEmployment & Social AffairsDelegationsDAFRDAFR DelegationDPAPDelegation for relations with the Pan-African ParliamentDACPDelegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly×Asha ALLENSecretary GeneralCentre for Democracy and Technology Europe Cori CRIDERDirectorFuture of Technology Institute +Sandro GOZIMEP France Renew PresidencyMember of the European Parliament Renew Renew Europe Group | MoDem Mouvement Démocrate Sandro GOZICommitteesIMCOInternal Market & Consumer ProtectionAFCOConstitutional AffairsREGIRegional DevelopmentEUDSEUDS CommitteeDelegationsCHAIR D-UKDelegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership AssemblyD-INDelegation for relations with India×Vera FRANZFounder & Executive DirectorEconomic Democracy ProjectMartin HULLINDirectorEuropean Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS)Bertelsmann Stiftung Paris José Ignacio TORREBLANCADistinguished Policy FellowECFR Programme Opening Remarks Laura Ballarín Cereza | S&D MEP | IMCO Coordinator Keynote speech Teresa Ribera | Executive Vice-President of the European Commission (EVP) | Clean Just and Competitive Transition Panel I. From Rules to Reality: Implementing Europe's Digital Regulatory Framework. Christel Schaldemose | MEP (S&D) | Rapporteur of the DSA Kim Van Sparrentak | MEP (Greens/EFA) | IMCO Coordinator | Shadow rapporteur of the Al Act Asha Allen | Secretary General | Centre for Democracy and Technology Europe Moderator: Cori Crider | Director | Future of Technology Institute Panel II. What Comes Next? Advancing in Europe's Digital Sovereignty by Closing Regulatory Gaps and Strengthening European Digital Infrastructure Sandro Gozi | MEP (Renew) Vera Franz | Founder & Executive Director | Economic Democracy Project Martin Hullin | Director | European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS) | Bertelsmann Stiftung Paris Moderator: José Ignacio Torreblanca | Distinguished Policy Fellow | ECFR Important – This event is by invitation, and only registered participants will be admitted. Due to capacity constraints, all attendees must register, including those already holding a European Parliament access badge. Registration is mandatory for admission.
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https://www.expert-europe.eu/en/event/digital-sovereignty-in-europe-protecting-the-european-digital-model-in-the-current-global-context/2026/05/12/461