MEP Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE) has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, citing a European Court of Auditors (ECA) special report that criticises the EU's artificial intelligence governance as fragmented, lacking performance indicators, and failing to assess the impact of funding. Garraud warns of overlaps with national policies and encroachment on member state competences, raising concerns for EU taxpayers and national industrial strategies.
The question, filed on 14 April 2026 under Rule 144, draws on ECA Special Report No 12/2026, which highlights serious shortcomings in AI policy implementation. Garraud asks the Commission to specify measures to ensure funding is effective, justify the proliferation of EU initiatives in an area tied to national industrial strategies, and explain how it will comply with subsidiarity and sound financial management under Article 5 TEU.
Concrete asks and policy direction
The question contains three concrete requests: (1) specific measures to avoid fragmentation and ensure effectiveness, (2) justification for EU initiatives overlapping with national strategies, and (3) compliance with subsidiarity and financial management principles. Garraud's orientation is sceptical of EU-level intervention, advocating for national prerogatives and tighter control over EU spending. The cleavage is between EU integration (centralised AI governance) and national sovereignty, with implications for EU regulatory bodies versus member state authorities and businesses.
Expected follow-up
The Commission must reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it acknowledges the ECA's findings and plans corrective action, or defends the current approach. This could influence future AI funding allocation and the balance between EU and national competences.