'Totally unfair' that EU countries making money on energy crunch: Former EU commissioner Breton

Former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton criticizes member states profiting from the energy crisis, while reflecting on his US travel ban and landmark tech regulations. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• 'Totally unfair' that EU countries making money on energy crunch: Former EU commissioner Breton

Contesto

Thierry Breton, the former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, has sharply criticized EU member states he says are profiting from the ongoing energy crisis, calling the situation "totally unfair." Breton, who served from 2019 to 2024, made the comments in a recent interview, though he did not specify which countries he was referencing. His remarks come amid a prolonged period of high energy prices across the continent, driven initially by the fallout from the war in Ukraine and subsequent supply disruptions. The former commissioner's tenure was defined by his central role in shepherding two of the European Union's most significant pieces of digital legislation into law: the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These sweeping regulations aim to curb the power of the largest online platforms, enforce content moderation standards, and ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace. Breton was a key architect and negotiator for the rules, which have positioned the EU as the world's de facto tech regulator. Breton's outspoken stance on technology governance frequently brought him into conflict with the previous U.S. administration. That tension culminated at the end of last year when he, along with four other European figures, was hit with a U.S. travel ban. Breton denounced the move at the time, stating it felt like "a wind of McCarthyism blowing again." The ban, which has not been formally lifted, marked a significant diplomatic rift over transatlantic policy and regulatory philosophy. The energy crisis critique adds a new dimension to Breton's post-commission commentary, shifting focus from the digital realm to the bloc's physical and economic security. While many EU nations have faced severe economic strain due to soaring gas and electricity costs, some countries with diverse energy supplies or significant storage capacity have reportedly seen financial windfalls. Breton's accusation touches on a sensitive political nerve within the union, where solidarity has been repeatedly tested by the need to secure energy resources and manage costs for consumers and industry. Looking ahead, the implications of Breton's landmark...

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Categoria: cronaca