The European Parliament's legal affairs committee (JURI) on 23 June 2026 debated the Digital Omnibus simplification package and an EU strategy for international justice, exposing a divide between those who see the package as overdue support for SMEs and those who warn it risks weakening data protection and democratic scrutiny.
On the Digital Omnibus, Brando Benifei (S&D) warned that simplification risked upsetting the balance of data law without a full impact assessment, while Diana Vaut-Kausik from DG CONNECT defended the package as support for SMEs. Emil Radev (EPP) and Ton Diepeveen (PfE) pushed for stronger trade-secret protection, but Benifei and Dainius Žalimas (Renew) insisted that refusal of data access must remain a last resort. David Cormand (Greens/EFA) and Arash Saeidi (The Left) argued the Commission blurred simplification with deregulation, weakening democratic scrutiny.
On international justice, Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA) called for activating the blocking statute against US sanctions targeting ICC officials, supported by Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D) and Arash Saeidi (The Left). Dainius Žalimas (Renew) urged additional coordination mechanisms. Mario Mantovani (ECR) backed the report but warned against politicisation.
Consensus emerged on keeping the platform-to-business regulation for SME protection and defending international justice. Next steps: amendments due 26 June, with further exchanges planned.
The debate highlights a cleavage between those prioritising business competitiveness and SME relief (DG CONNECT, EPP, PfE) and those prioritising data protection and democratic scrutiny (S&D, Greens/EFA, The Left). For SMEs, the package could reduce compliance costs, but for data subjects and civil society, weaker safeguards may reduce transparency and accountability. The European Commission would gain flexibility in implementation, while national data protection authorities may face enforcement challenges if the balance shifts.