Author: MIL OSI Publisher

Question for written answer  E-001656/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sérgio Gonçalves (S&D)

The Commission’s proposal to allow up to 100 % co-financing for new cohesion policy priorities raises serious concerns about the impact on less developed regions and the outermost regions, which rely heavily on stable long-term cohesion support. Redirecting funding from structural objectives to new thematic areas, without providing additional resources, risks undermining the core mission of cohesion policy. Furthermore, orienting funds towards sectors such as defence, which are often concentrated in more industrialised areas, may exacerbate territorial imbalances and divert resources away from regions that still face significant development gaps.

In this context:

• 1.What guarantees can the Commission offer that less developed regions and the outermost regions will not experience a net loss of cohesion funding?
• 2.Does the Commission not agree that new priorities should be matched with additional funding rather than drawing from existing allocations?
• 3.How will the Commission safeguard territorial balance, particularly where large companies and more developed regions may have a competitive advantage in absorbing redirected funds?

Submitted: 24.4.2025

The automotive industry is a core engine of European prosperity. The sector accounts for EUR 1 trillion in gross domestic product, a third of private research and development investment in the EU and it provides direct and indirect employment to 13 million Europeans.

However, the European automotive sector is at a critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and increasing competition.

Against this background, the President of the Commission in January 2025 launched a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry[1], a collaborative and inclusive process designed to tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges. On 5 March 2025, the Commission put forward an Action Plan[2], which builds on the Strategic Dialogue.

The action plan sets out concrete measures to help secure global competitiveness of the European automotive industry and maintain a strong European production base.

It also includes measures to ensure better support for workers affected by the transition of the sector. In particular, the Commission has proposed to extend the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to also support workers threatened by imminent job displacement.

Additionally, the Commission is working with social partners and Member States to increase European Social Fund Plus funding for the automotive sector, supporting workers who want to reskill and look for new job opportunities.

The Commission is using the mid-term review to incentivise Member States to reprogramme more funding to these ends. Moreover, the Commission will work with social partners to prepare a Quality Jobs Roadmap to be published towards the end of 2025.

• [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_378
• [2] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/89b3143e-09b6-4ae6-a826-932b90ed0816_en?filename=Communication%20-%20Action%20Plan.pdf

Priority question for written answer  P-001672/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Piotr Müller (ECR), Gheorghe Piperea (ECR), Jacek Ozdoba (ECR), Laurence Trochu (ECR), Kristoffer Storm (ECR), Dominik Tarczyński (ECR), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Geadis Geadi (ECR)

Article 91 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) provides for a review of the Act by November 2025 regarding the designation of very large online platforms, their scope, and the DSA’s compatibility with various legal instruments.

The DSA has been heavily criticised by the current US administration, by European politicians and by human rights defenders who have reported and documented its impact on fundamental rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression.

In this context, a well-rounded review process assessing the impact of the DSA on the right to freedom of expression enshrined in Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is needed.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

• 1.What procedures and timeline will the Commission follow for the review of the DSA by November 2025, and does it already envisage changes to the Act?
• 2.Given the DSA’s stated aim of balancing platform accountability with fundamental rights (recital 3 and Article 1), will the Commission assess the DSA’s impact on freedom of expression during the review?
• 3.What role can Parliament, the Council of the EU, civil society, human rights groups, tech companies and researchers play in the Act’s review?

Supporter[1]

Submitted: 24.4.2025

• [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR)

The Commission is aware of the negative effects of digital distractions and excessive screentime, both in and outside of school. Time spent on smartphones during school hours is particularly concerning, as Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)[1] results show a strong link between digital distraction and learning outcomes.

The Commission published in January 2025 a literature review to explore the relationship between screen time and academic achievement[2].

With the help of ENESET Network[3] the Commission is gathering evidence and practices from around the EU on the impact of mobile phone bans in schools expected for end 2025.

Through initiatives such as the European Education Area and the Digital Education Action Plan[4], the Commission promotes digital literacy and online safety education and capacity building of both educators and learners to use these devices in responsible, healthy and respectful ways, while safeguarding proper attention to sleep, physical and outdoor activities to protect their mental health.

Recommendations for policymakers, and educators on wellbeing and mental health[5] were published by the Commission’s expert group on supportive learning environments and wellbeing at school.

The communication on mental health[6] supports youth mental health including in the digital sphere[7]. The Commission will conduct an EU-wide inquiry on the impact of social media and excessive screentime on mental health and wellbeing[8] and will publish an Action Plan against cyberbullying.

Children should be able to benefit from online opportunities in a safe digital environment. The Digital Services Act[9] and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive[10] contain dedicated rules to protect children online.

The European Strategy for Better Internet for Kids (BIK+)[11] aims to ensure that every child is respected, protected and empowered online.

• [1] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2023/12/pisa-2022-results-volume-i_76772a36/PISA%202022%20Insights%20and%20Interpretations.pdf
• [2] https://nesetweb.eu/en/resources/library/screen-time-and-educational-outcomes-of-children-and-adolescents-a-complex-multifaceted-relationship/
• [3] https://ppmi.lt/news-insights/ppmi-lead-eneset-network-delivering-quality-advice-and-knowledge-evidence-based-education-policy-europe
• [4] https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital-education/action-plan
• [5] https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/discover/news/guidelines-wellbeing-and-mental-health-school
• [6] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union/comprehensive-approach-mental-health_en
• [7] https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/6317c605-5f5d-4d4f-9c8a-d5c93e869814_en?filename=ncd_tracking-framework-mh_en.pdf
• [8] https://commission.europa.eu/priorities-2024-2029_en
• [9] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj
• [10] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/13/oj
• [11] https://better-Internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en

The Commission is closely monitoring the implementation of Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), including its measures to strengthen administrative capacity.

The Commission acknowledges the importance of an effective and well-resourced public administration to ensure the timely and efficient management of EU funds, particularly in less-developed regions.

The Commission is aware of the discussions surrounding the ‘suitable candidates cap’.

The recruitment and management of public servants fall under the responsibility of national authorities. While it is for the Italian authorities to assess and adapt their recruitment policies in line with national and EU objectives, the Commission stands ready to engage with the Italian authorities if needed and will continue to follow this matter in the broader context of RRP implementation and effective fund management.

Question for written answer  E-001621/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nicolás González Casares (S&D)

A recent report published by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) paints a clear picture of the socio-economic impact of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1614 which, by closing 87 areas to bottom fishing, has reduced fishing days and fish landings by 16 % and 20 % respectively for Spanish fleets while also causing their turnover to drop by 11 %.

The report indicates that, in 2022, Spanish fleets (including 67 longliners) had fished in 60 of the areas that were later closed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1614. Just over half of the longliners involved (52.9 %) operate out of Burela and Celeiro, accounting for 94.7 % and 90 % of these two ports’ respective fleets. In addition, 45.8 % of all Spanish gill net (GNS) vessels that used to fish in these areas are based in Cedeira and Celeiro, while the bottom fishing ban could also have repercussions for 90 % of the port of Ribeira’s trawl (OTB) fleet.

According to the STECF, this state of affairs could lead to a loss of fishing areas, an uptick in operational costs and the displacement of fishing fleets while also having a detrimental impact on ports in the vicinity.

• 1.Given the colossal impact that Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1614 has had, will the Commission scrap or amend it?
• 2.How will the Commission implement STECF’s recommendation that ‘all long-term measures should protect both vulnerable ecosystems as well as the communities engaged in sustainable fishing in those waters’?
• 3.Will the Commission pledge to delay adopting decisions until it has analysed their socio-economic impact?

Submitted: 23.4.2025