This report analyses Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and European Commission replies published between 29 September and 5 October 2025. The key policy areas under scrutiny include the implementation and enforcement of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), competition policy in the digital sector, particularly concerning adtech and tax avoidance by multinationals, and the strategic resilience of the EU’s digital and critical infrastructure. The Commission consistently positions itself as a diligent enforcer of existing and new legislative frameworks, emphasizing coordination with Member States through bodies like the European Competition Network. On the international stage, particularly regarding digital taxation, the Commission advocates for multilateral solutions while firmly asserting the EU’s sovereign right to act if global agreements are not reached. These developments provide crucial signals on the Commission’s enforcement priorities and its approach to operationalising the EU’s digital policy framework for public affairs and advocacy professionals.
European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) Implementation
❗ Commission Rejects Calls to Suspend European Media Freedom Act
In response to questions about postponing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Commission has confirmed its commitment to the legislation’s full application. In her reply of 30 September 2025 to question E-003305/25 , Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated that most EMFA provisions became applicable on 8 August 2025. The Commission is actively working with Member States to align their national legal and institutional frameworks and affirmed it will take all necessary measures to ensure the enforcement of the Act, which aims to protect media pluralism and independence across the EU.
❗ Independence of New European Media Board Defended by Commission
The Commission has underscored the statutory independence of the new European Board for Media Services, established under the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). Responding on 2 October 2025, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen clarified in answer to E-003308/25 that Article 9 of the EMFA protects the Board’s full independence from any external body, including the Commission. While the Commission provides the Board’s secretariat, it acts solely on the instructions of the Board. The Commission stated it has no intention of proposing modifications to this arrangement.
Competition & Taxation in the Digital Single Market
❗ Commission Details Antitrust Coordination Following Google Adtech Fine
Following a €2.95 billion fine against Google for abusive practices in the adtech sector, the Commission has outlined its coordination mechanisms for antitrust enforcement. In a reply dated 3 October 2025 (E-003332/25), Executive Vice-President Ribera explained that the European Competition Network (ECN) facilitates case allocation between the Commission and national competition authorities to ensure effective enforcement and avoid duplication. This mechanism ensures consistent application of EU competition law, and the Commission confirmed these procedures are applied in the adtech sector.
❗ State Aid Rules are Key Tool Against Digital Multinationals’ Tax Avoidance
The Commission has reiterated its use of State aid rules to combat aggressive tax planning by multinational corporations. In a reply on 2 October 2025 to question E-002986/25, Executive Vice-President Ribera highlighted that these rules prohibit Member States from granting selective tax advantages. The Commission cited the Court of Justice’s judgment in the Apple case as a confirmation of its approach and pointed to existing EU measures like the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive and the Pillar 2 Directive as part of its broader commitment to tackling tax avoidance schemes and ensuring a level playing field for SMEs.
❗ E-commerce Market Surveillance to be Strengthened to Protect EU Businesses
In response to concerns about unfair competition from non-compliant footwear imports, the Commission has outlined measures to strengthen market surveillance, particularly for e-commerce. Executive Vice-President Séjourné, in a reply on 30 September 2025 to E-002319/25, noted that the Commission is launching Priority Control Areas focusing on e-commerce imports to ensure compliance with EU rules, including chemical regulations like REACH. Furthermore, the Commission’s proposed customs reform, which includes abolishing the €150 customs duty exemption, is presented as a measure to improve fairness for EU economic operators.
❗ Commission Defends Transparency of Evaluation Processes Amid AI Concerns
Addressing concerns about transparency and the potential use of AI in evaluating Erasmus+ Youth programme projects, the Commission defended its existing procedures. In a reply on 29 September 2025 to question E-003279/25, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that evaluations are based on merit and transparency, involving independent external experts whose anonymity is protected during the cycle to ensure objectivity. The Commission also confirmed that a formal review procedure is in place for applicants who believe the evaluation was flawed, though the reply did not directly address the specific question of AI use in the process.
❗ Scope of Annual Rule of Law Report Clarified by Commission
The Commission has clarified the scope and methodology of its annual Rule of Law Report, stating it covers all Member States objectively and equally. Responding on 30 September 2025 to question E-003238/25, which raised concerns about the situation in Germany, Commissioner McGrath confirmed the report’s focus on national justice systems, anti-corruption, media pluralism, and other institutional checks and balances. He specified that it is not foreseen to extend the material scope of the report to cover the protection of minorities, which is addressed through other EU instruments like the Charter of Fundamental Rights strategy.
❗ Critical Infrastructure Resilience a High Priority Following Iberian Blackout
The Commission has affirmed that enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure remains a high priority, referencing the recent Iberian blackout. In a reply on 1 October 2025 to question E-002516/25, Commissioner Jørgensen highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Directive on the resilience of critical entities (CER) and the NIS2 Directive. The Commission also pointed to its Action Plan on Cable Security as part of a broader strategy to better handle emerging risks, including man-made threats to the EU’s energy system.
❗ Commission Reaffirms Need for Digitalisation of EU Energy Grids
The Commission has reiterated its strong support for the expansion, modernisation, and digitalisation of Europe’s electricity grids. In a response dated 30 September 2025 (E-002637/25), Commissioner Jørgensen aligned the Commission’s position with a recent European Parliament report, citing the EU Action Plan for Grids and the Trans-European Networks for Energy Regulation. The Commission stressed that more integrated and digitalised energy markets offer significant economic benefits, increase system resilience, and are crucial for creating an efficient, decarbonised energy system.
❗ Commission Prioritises Multilateral Solution for Digital Taxation
The Commission has reiterated its preference for a multilateral solution to the tax challenges arising from digitalisation, in response to a question about Canada suspending its digital tax under US pressure. In his reply of 29 September 2025 to E-002829/25, Commissioner Hoekstra noted that while OECD discussions on Pillar 1 are on hold, the Commission expects them to resume and will focus its efforts on securing a global agreement. However, the Commission also firmly stated that it is the sovereign right of the EU and its Member States to implement tax policies that ensure fair taxation of all economic operators.
❗ Security Exceptions Can Limit Foreign Bidders in Global Gateway Projects
In response to concerns about Chinese state-owned enterprises winning contracts under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, the Commission has clarified its procurement rules. Commissioner Síkela, in a reply on 29 September 2025 to question E-002457/25, stated that the Commission may restrict eligibility in procurement to protect the EU’s security or public order. This provision is particularly relevant for strategic assets, including the integrity of digital infrastructure, communication, and information systems, ensuring that EU-funded projects align with the Union’s geopolitical and economic interests.
❗ Copyright Law is Primary Tool for Protecting Cultural Monuments from Digital Commercialisation
The Commission has framed the issue of protecting cultural heritage from unauthorised commercial use, such as a drone show at the Acropolis, primarily within the scope of existing copyright law. In a reply on 30 September 2025 to E-002043/25, Commissioner Micallef explained that Directive (EU) 2001/29 grants rightsholders exclusive rights to authorise or prohibit the reproduction of their works. The Commission’s role, under Article 167 TFEU, is to support and supplement Member States’ actions in conserving cultural heritage, rather than creating a new, unified legal framework for the commercial use of cultural images.
❗ EU Satellite Data Supports National Authorities in Monitoring Environmental Disasters
Following devastating fires in Cyprus, the Commission highlighted the role of EU-level digital tools in supporting national authorities with disaster assessment. In her response of 30 September 2025 to question E-003170/25, Commissioner Roswall pointed to the European Forest Fire Information System and other Copernicus services, which provide harmonised data on fire extent, severity, and recovery. While the primary responsibility for recording biodiversity disturbance lies with Member States, these EU systems provide critical support for monitoring and complement obligations under frameworks like the Nature Restoration Regulation.
The Commission’s replies from this period collectively signal a clear pivot from legislation to implementation and enforcement across the digital policy landscape. The firm stance on the European Media Freedom Act and the detailed explanations of antitrust coordination in the adtech sector indicate a focus on operationalising recently enacted laws and leveraging existing competition tools to shape the digital market. This suggests that businesses should anticipate more active monitoring and enforcement actions in the coming months.
A second cross-cutting theme is the careful balancing of multilateralism with strategic autonomy. In the realm of digital taxation, the Commission consistently frames a global OECD agreement as the preferred outcome but explicitly reserves the EU’s “sovereign right” to act if international efforts stall. This dual-track approach is also visible in the Global Gateway strategy, where procurement rules are presented as open and non-discriminatory, yet with clear carve-outs to restrict bidders on security grounds, especially for strategic assets like digital infrastructure. This positions the EU as a cooperative but firm global actor, prepared to defend its economic and security interests.
Overall, these responses paint a picture of an institution focused on consolidating the regulatory framework of the Digital Single Market. The emphasis is on ensuring that rules are not just on the books but are actively applied, that Member State frameworks are aligned, and that the EU’s strategic interests are protected in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. For policy professionals, this underscores the growing importance of compliance, enforcement mechanisms, and the geopolitical context of digital regulation.
