Commission fears Microsoft dependency

Good morning from Brussels.

According to internal documents seen by Euractiv’s Jacob Wulff Wold, some EU officials have expressed security and privacy concerns about the Commission’s use of Microsoft365 as its digital workspace, which has not been made public.

But, practically, is there a “sovereign” alternative to decrease dependence on American tech?

The political environment in which to answer this question is also not ideal, as transatlantic relations are not at their best.

Donald Trump, who returns to the White House in two weeks, has triggered reactions in the EU after a barrage of threats and comments against Greenland.

Elon Musk’s public interventions in EU politics have also raised eyebrows and caused some nervousness, but Nick Alipour explains that it may not have the desired impact.

Meanwhile, EU lawmakers have called for a debate on Musk’s “abuse of social networks”.

In the tech field, the EU court ruled that the EU executive must pay €400 in compensation for a personal data breach linked to using Facebook login on their ‘Conference on the Future of Europe’ website in 2022.

Lastly, the pharma industry has urged the EU to adopt electronic product information. However, some have reacted, saying digitisation could disadvantage certain sections of the population.

PARIS

France's Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu has doubled down on the country's insistence that EU defence cash should be spent in Europe despite growing pressure to have US companies get a share. Read more.

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BERLIN

German chancellor hopeful says no to defence spending targets. Germany must first focus on meeting the 2% GDP defence spending target before revising the NATO target, said conservative chancellor hopeful Friedrich Merz after US president-elect Donald Trump's most recent comments on NATO spending. Read more.

MADRID

Half a century after Franco's death, wounds remain open. Spain will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of former dictator Francisco Franco with some 100 events as both sides of the political aisle debate his controversial historical legacy. Read more.

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ROME

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala released from Iranian prison. Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, arrested in Iran three weeks ago, was released on Wednesday, the Italian government has announced. Read more.

PRAGUE

The Czech Senate is set to debate a new anti-spy law aimed at combating foreign espionage, mainly from Russia, but some fear it could limit freedom of speech. Read more.
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WARSAW

Poland sets presidential election for May. Poland's presidential election will take place on 18 May, parliamentary speaker Szymon Hołownia announced on Wednesday. Read more.

Polish farming minister pushes to link Ukraine agricultural trade talks with EU-Mercosur deal. Polish Farming Minister Czesław Siekierski has said negotiations on a long-term agricultural trade liberalisation with Ukraine should be linked to talks on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin. Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday he had secured Slovakia's gas supply during a visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, just before Ukraine halted the transit of gas from Russia at the start of 2025. Read more.

BELGRADE

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has raised the alarm that the US will impose Russia-related sanctions on the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), though analysts say Vučić's real aim is to take control of NIS. Read more.

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SOFIA

Kazakh company reportedly bidding for Bulgaria’s only refinery. Kazakhstan's state-owned oil and gas company KazMunayGas has reportedly offered $1 billion to buy Lukoil Neftochim Burgas, Bulgaria's only refinery currently owned by Russia's Lukoil. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Elena Lasconi to run for president of Romania, ruling coalition candidate unclear. Elena Lasconi, leader of the opposition Save Romania Union (USR) party, confirmed she will run in the 2025 presidential elections, while Crin Antonescu's participation as the ruling coalition's candidate looks increasingly uncertain. Read more.

US to lift visa requirement for Romanian citizens. Romanians will be able to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes without the need to obtain a visa, Romanian media reported on Wednesday. Read more.

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe]