Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002131/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liesbet Sommen (PPE)
For digitalisation projects at EU and Member State level, software from large, non-European tech firms such as Salesforce, Microsoft, Google and Amazon Web Services is still being opted for in many instances. This trend raises questions about the geopolitical context, market access for European players and embedding public values within public procurement.
In view of growing trade tensions between the EU and the US, it is apt to assess to what extent, in terms of digital policy, the EU and its Member States are acting strategically independently. At the same time, there is a need for a framework in which public values such as transparency, reusability of technology and data sovereignty are central and are factored in to procurement procedures.
European start-ups and tech firms that are well established also offer innovative, qualitative alternatives. Greater recognition of their role would strengthen the resilience and strategic autonomy of the European digital economy.
- 1.Can the Commission provide an overview of recent European digitalisation projects for which US software platforms were chosen and say what the selection criteria were for those choices?
- 2.As part of procurement procedures, is the availability of high-quality European alternatives systematically looked into? If so, how are they compared with international suppliers?
- 3.Is the Commission considering incorporating into future procurement rules additional criteria that explicitly factor in strategic autonomy, data sovereignty, transparency and strengthening of the European digital economy?
Submitted: 28.5.2025