Ernő SCHALLER-BAROSS

Policy topics Ernő SCHALLER-BAROSS is active on

What Ernő SCHALLER-BAROSS has said (19)

• 2026-06-16 “Commissioner, it's extremely important to work on this particular issue to be able to develop the infrastructure jobs in particular. Competitive being competitive on the digital front is something that we have to focus on. But we also have to determine determine whatever is necessary in order to have investments, to have innovation, technological innovation commissioner. The technological center of the world is not gonna be determined by a single factor. It is gonna require a very, very closely, carefully crafted infrastructure, and the necessary steps have to be taken so that Europe can be able to have those particular services for the future. We clearly have a lack of resources, and, we need those millions and billions for new projects. What has been found up until now is good, but we need consistency. We need a certain amount of cohesion as well on this particular front in order to work effectively. It's very, very difficult to explain, to, for example, Hungarian citizen citizens that all of the efforts that have been made in 1 direction haven't really borne the fruits necessary. We need a policy which will take into consideration individuals, market as well. It's not an ideological issue. It's a competitiveness issue. We have to create competitiveness and innovation.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2026-06-16 “Commissioner. It's extremely important to work on this particular issue to be able to develop the infrastructure jobs in particular. Competitive. Being competitive on the digital front is something that we have to focus on. We also have to determine, determine whatever is necessary in order to have investments to have innovation. Technological innovation Commissioner. The technological center of the world is not going to be determined by a single factor. It is going to require a very, very closely, carefully crafted infrastructure. And the necessary steps have to be taken so that Europe can be able to have those particular services for the future. We clearly have a lack of resources. And we need those millions and billions for new projects. What has been found up until now is good, but we need consistency. We need a certain amount of cohesion as well on this particular front, in order to work effectively. It's very, very difficult to explain to, for example, Hungarian citizen citizens that all of the efforts that have been made in one direction haven't really borne the fruits necessary. We need a policy which will take into consideration individuals market as well. It's not an ideological issue. It's a competitiveness issue. We have to create competitiveness and innovation.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Mr. president, dear colleagues, uh, the use of cash in Hungary is a right protected by our constitution. And preserving this is not only a financial question. This is a question of freedom and the protection of our autonomy. And I was very concerned, just like my quite a few of my colleagues. Leagues. Um, when I saw that the ECB is moving towards the exclusive use of digital money. And this is really concerning, because cash isn't only a means of payment. This embodies freedom. It protects our private lives. It makes us able to make decisions. And this is practically one of the main pillars of free societies. When citizens can freely decide what kind of payments and how they make, they are exercising their democratic right to cash. We need to preserve this right. And digital solutions can never replace or overwrite citizens rights. Thank you.”
  Means of payment (cash vs digital)
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. Honourable Commissioner, thank you for your detailed presentation. While the EU market is evolving at a lightning pace and consumers are facing unprecedented challenges digital abuses, unfair practices, cross-border service barriers and weak product safety, the European Commission continues to speak about principles and priorities. Strengthening digital fairness is of course important, but in practice, loopholes continue to spread, leaving consumers vulnerable. My two questions to you would be honorable Commissioner, could the Commission slow timetable be reconsidered in light of the situation? Could the Commission accelerate its work in the field of market surveillance and product safety? And secondly, my concerns. Uh, my second question concerns. Roaming. Your communication also mentions concluding roaming agreements with candidate countries. While the target date is specified for Ukraine and Moldova, none is provided for the Balkan countries. We have excellent candidate countries in the Balkans or Hungarian communities. There have also been waiting for years for the Commission to act. Could you explain the absence of a target date? Thank you very much.”
  EU policy on accessibility of digital infrastructure
• “Chair. Thank you so much. Chair. Dear colleagues, dear guests, first of all, thank you for your professional contributions. This have been truly valuable. What is certain is that our global competitors, the United States, Asia, are advancing at full speed in the field of AI, and we must also act accordingly. At the same time, after so many AI related debates, I sometimes feel that we have reached a point where regulators claim to know more about AI than the developers themselves. This is an interesting direction. As a shadow rapporteur for the Patriots, I believe it is time to return to fundamental EU principle. Only as much regulation as is strictly necessary. Otherwise it will not be AI shaping Europe. Rather, it will be overregulating depriving us of our future. My question to Mr. Boland is the following. During the implementation of the AI act, the European Commission will define a number of crucial technical details through implementing acts from the technical specifications of high risk AI systems to new audit and compliance methodologies. How will the Commission ensure that these acts do not exceed the political mandate given by the legislators, especially in cases where new obligations or conceptual changes could be introduced under the guise of technical measures? Furthermore, do you plan to establish, together with the Member States and industry regulatory sandbox mechanism that would allow the real market impact of these implementing acts to be tested in practice, evaluated not only from a legal, but also from an Economic perspective. I look forward to your response. Thank you very much.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Madam chair, former commissioner Mr. Bretton. Esteemed colleagues. The controversy around the Digital Service Act is not just technical, it's also political. The question of digital sovereignty and of common sense. We see European institutions shrug off US criticism. Yet the Americans have a point. When implementation is opaque, decisions appear politically motivated and market actors cannot. Now on what basis they may be sanctioned. There is a serious problem. This is not about avoiding regulation. Europe must regulate its digital market. That's without question. But regulation cannot be arbitrary ideologically or a geopolitical tool. The Commission seems to fall short on meaningful consultation. Dialogue is replaced by dictate. Transparency is political, is by political signalling. So my question to former commissioner Thierry Breton How did the commission ensure that all US stakeholders, from large platforms to smaller providers, have meaningful opportunities to contribute to implementation? What steps were being taken to assess the potential economic and political impacts before enforcement? And how do you think the Commission plans to maintain trust and predictability for the digital ecosystem in Europe? Now? Ensuring open dialogue and careful impact assessment is not optional. It is essential for Europe's competitiveness, innovation and credibility. Regulation is necessary, but how we regulate is what matters. Thank you so much.”
  EU rules on digital competition
• “Thank you. Thank you, sir, Mr. chair. Dear rapporteur, dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to thank the rapporteur for his work and for his openness throughout this long process. I particularly appreciate that prior to the presentation of the draft report, he engaged in several exchanges with the shadow rapporteurs. This cooperative approach has significantly contributed to building trust and improving the quality of our work. For me, the discussion on the institutional aspects of artificial intelligence is part of a broader and more fundamental debate on the reform of European electoral rules. I have always been rather skeptical. And to be honest, I remain somewhat cautious today. However, I also recognize that our approach has become more open compared to previous discussions. I have revisited the issue, and it is clear that the current framework is not fully adequate to address the risk we are dealing with. At the same time, we patriots believe that we must be very careful. We are dealing with an exceptionally innovative and fast evolving field, which requires restraint and a proportionate regulatory approach. We have recently adopted the AI Digital Omnibus package. The need of this omnibus process clearly showed that in this area, overregulation is wrong direction. It is not only innovation but also undermining Europe's own competitiveness. I see a similar logic when it comes to the discussion on electoral law reform. At this stage, we should primarily map the available options and engage broadly with experts and all the relevant stakeholders. I particularly welcome the fact that representatives of national parliaments are also part of this debate today. This is an important element of democratic legitimacy, legitimacy. The key point is that we should not rush headlong into complex institutional changes. We should proceed step by step with due care and consideration. I would apply the same principle to the question of a potential observatory. If we do decide to move in that direction, it should be strictly limited to an oversight and monitoring role. Without strong executive or regulatory powers. From my side, I'm fully committed to the work ahead and I look forward to continued cooperation with the rapporteur. Thank you for your attention.”
  EU political integration
• “(15:00:08 – 15:01:55): Thank you, Chair. Mister Commissioner, if you allow me, I would address you in Hungarian and my native tongue. So Commissioner, the single market is important for regulating industry. But the plan that we have in place at the moment does not contain initiatives relating to raw materials for construction. I'm sure that you know yourself that in West Hungary, there are serious worries that procurement on the market for building roads is creating pollution. In the meantime, asbestos is not allowed in the European Union. Naturally, there are, but it seems that there are not enough checks being carried out, and not in every case is it possible to make sure those checks to make sure that asbestos-containing materials are not being used can be ensured. So the reason why I ask you is whether the Commission is planning to look at road building and raw materials for building in areas where asbestos is found and to prevent them reaching the market? Is there going to be a review of raw materials for the construction industry and making sure that these potential risks are being handled properly? I would be grateful for an answer.”
  Sourcing of critical raw materials
• “Thank you, Madam Vice President, ladies and gentlemen. Since the epidemic, we've seen a number of problems in air traffic delays, lost luggage, and the airlines trying to get rid of responsibility in a very cynical manner. Our citizens wait for compensation. Compensation for weeks. This is not equitable. It is unjust. Our experience is very clear. The existing legal framework is obsolete and offers insufficient protection in this new era. How is it possible that in the 21st century, citizens have to live their lives by the rules invented for the 20th century? This is simply not acceptable. Uh. It's been more than a decade since, uh, the process was started. We want a consumer protection system that is predictable where rules are actually implemented. Thank you.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• “(11:08:54 – 11:10:31): Madam president, honorable commissioner, Europe is not really a model when it comes to competitiveness. On the contrary, we are falling ever further behind, and that is a cause for concern. We have difficulties because of our single market not working properly. This is suffocating businesses in all parts of Europe. Jobs are in peril, and there are industrial sectors that are also being abandoned, and they will move out of the European Union. We have high energy prices. We have to tackle that. All of this, of course, requires strategies within the single market, and I understand there's a lot of talk about that. And that's all well and good. But what about the practice, the tangible situation on the ground with our SMEs, for instance? If you look at what's happening in practice, it's very different to the discourse. I mean, just take the example of Germany. Tens of thousands of jobs that are disappearing every month. And remember, Germany was the engine of the European Union and the European economy. We hope it will be again. So it's all well and good to talk about 1 Europe, 1 single market. It sounds very promising. But at the moment, what this actually means for businesses is a lot of red tape. It's not a real single market. It's not legal certainty. It's not better protection of consumers. It's actually more and more obstacles. So we need to change course. If we don't change course, that instead of having 1 Europe, we will have a divided continent, and we will have a continent that falls ever further behind. So let us address this issue properly. We need to bring this closer to the people. Thank you. Hello, Baroche. There is a blue card from mister Siper. Do you accept it? Yes. Siper.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Madam president, ladies and gentlemen, it's incredible, incredible for me that the left group In Parliament sees stigmatization everywhere. If we're looking at third country organizations, do they constitute a real threat? Good example is the George Soros organization. In fact, they are trying to have foreign influence. They're quite happy to use this system to exploit it. And what about transparency there? I think that this package constitutes all sorts of hidden dangers. Talking about registration in a country carried out in a country where they carry out their activities, that means that this organization can be active in any country in Europe. And that means for reasons of security, it's not really acceptable. The commission is continually trampling on the country.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• “Thank you, dear colleagues. We are discussing the revision of EU public procurement rules and this is very timely. Digitalisation technologies, um, make us want to modernize everything and adapt to real needs, real economic needs. But unfortunately the left would like this process to go in a different way. Green ideology, impossible social criteria and so on. They try to put these criteria into this document, but this doesn't answer the difficulties of companies in everyday life. These criteria just cause further problems. And it's very difficult to approve or dismiss. Von der Leyen decided or promised to increase the EU's competitiveness, but here it is. What can we see? Very high energy prices, a damaging deal signed with the US and, um, too much bureaucracy already make the situation very difficult. So we expect the Commission to really improve competitiveness and really serve the economy. Thank you. **Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Chair: Mr. Kobosko”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “President. Colleagues. If we look at the EU single market right now, it's not reaching its potential because Brussels, with its ideology is stifling it. We're stifling innovation and entrepreneurship. Rising energy prices, the burden always upon business. We need to help businesses develop. But actually they're shutting down. People are going out of business. And of course, they're rubbing their hands with glee. Elsewhere around the world, where they don't have the same energy supply problems. Our competitors benefit. We can't import certain fuels for high for ideological reasons, and we need to put this behind us. We can't hold the economy of a Europe, Hungary and the whole of Europe sacrificed.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Madam president, honourable Commissioner, Europe is not really a model when it comes to competitiveness. On the contrary, we are falling ever further behind and that is a cause for concern. We have difficulties because of our single market not working properly. This is suffocating businesses in all parts of Europe. Jobs are in peril and there are industrial sectors that are also being abandoned and they will move out of the European Union. We have high energy prices. We have to tackle that. All of this, of course, requires strategies within the single market. And I understand there's a lot of talk about that, and that's all well and good. But what about the practice, the tangible situation on the ground with our SMEs? For instance, if you look at what's happening in practice, it's very different to the discourse. I mean, just take the example of Germany. Tens of thousands of jobs that are disappearing every month. And remember, Germany was the engine of the European Union and the European economy. We hope it will be again. So it's all well and good to talk about one Europe, one single market. It sounds very promising, but at the moment what this actually means for businesses is a lot of red tape. It's not a real single market. It's not legal certainty. It's not better protection of consumers. It's actually more and more obstacles. So we need to change course. If we don't change course, then instead of having one Europe, we will have a divided continent and we will have a continent that falls ever further behind. So let us address this issue properly. We need to bring this closer to the people. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Dear colleagues. The 28th regime is not only a proposal, but another try to extend from Brussels to extend its own prerogatives based on our experiences from previous years. Anything that's optional becomes a compulsory tomorrow. Company law and taxation is not an EU competence. It is part and parcel of national economic policy. You cannot take these rights away from member States without damaging our Competitiveness and also democratic rights. It's not a lack of rules that slows European economy down, but rather overregulation. Companies want less bureaucracy, more freedom for manoeuvre, not such new legal attempts.”
  EU competences on taxation
• “Ladies and gentlemen, protecting minors is one of our fundamental responsibilities. The role of the family is irreplaceable in this. The European Commission can coordinate, but cannot take over the role of parents, communities and national legislators. Especially when, um, market regulation, which is the commission's job, is, uh, the commission is failing on that. And we see all the risks, uh, online, uh, for our kids, uh, the Member talks about protecting children. While she used to work for a big tech firm which used to promote a world full of addiction online. We should also talk about her party, Tisa. They talk about cyber security questions, why they couldn't even safeguard people's data in a simple app. Data, um, leading to data leakage. We want protection for minors online.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Thank you. Thank you rapporteur I'll now switch to English. First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr. Schwab on his draft opinion. I believe the draft person has delivered a true piece of work that clearly reflects the importance of EU Switzerland relations for the European Union. A shadow rapporteur for the Patriots, I would like to underline that mobility between the EU and Switzerland has genuine internal market relevance, particularly in regions where cross-border work and service provision are part of everyday economic life. In this context, ensuring legal certainty for employers, Workers and consumers is of high importance for a group. Improved predictability in the recognition of professional qualifications is essential. We stress that clear, predefined procedures are indispensable to facilitate cross-border service provision, and to support small and medium sized enterprises that rely on skilled labour. I would also highlight that conformity assessment and mutual recognition are core instruments of the internal market. They reduce technical barriers, prevent duplication of testing and certification, and are particularly critical for the competitiveness of SMEs, which cannot absorb repeated certification costs. Finally, in agreement with the rapporteur, we believe that strengthened market surveillance cooperation within the mutual recognition framework must be emphasized. Effective cooperation is indispensable to ensure product safety and avoid internal market fragmentation that would reintroduce de facto barriers to trade. While some issues like market surveillance and state aid could perhaps be further elaborated, I believe that Mr. Schwab's opinion covers the key internal market aspects. The direction is right and we stand ready to cooperate fully. Thank you for your attention.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• “Honourable members. Colleagues. During the opening sitting this week, the president of the Parliament said the following. The security of one member state is the security of the whole European Union. We have no idea what the left think about this. To take the case of Hungary. The European Parliament is showing double standards. It's no problem for ultra left to go out on the streets in Hungary, to attack, to belittle, to insult people. Nothing's done about that. We saw the way in which you refused to raise the immunity for. The left. Ignore the fact that our president and his family have recently been threatened. It's not possible to have a sensible discussion here. Meanwhile, ultra left organizations murder a 23 year old young Frenchman. We are sick and tired of these double standards. And we're sick and tired of your complicit silence.”
  Rule of law in Hungary
• “Thank you very much. The digital space is a space where there should be freedom of opinion and not just innovation. Recently there's been overregulation from the Commission, and this has led to a situation where companies can't work properly in Europe anymore. The digital dictates are so complex that companies can't work properly, and they prefer to stick to what they were doing before, which means that there's not enough room for innovation and European citizens are not sufficiently protected. We patriots do not want to have new legislation imposed from Brussels. We want there to be possibility of development and innovation. Ursula von der Leyen took away this possibility. Jobs have been lost and investments have been lost, and we robbed our citizens of their future.”
  EU rules on digital competition