Elena SANCHO MURILLO

Policy topics Elena SANCHO MURILLO is active on

What Elena SANCHO MURILLO has said (26)

• 2026-06-16 “Thank you very much, president, vice president. Finally, we have this much a weighted technical sovereignty package. This is a time when Europe is around 80% dependent on digital infrastructure outside of Europe. That's around a 240,000,000,000, euro cost. Cloud and data centers are very important, but, we need to strengthen this, further. We're not really reducing, dependency. There are still parts of the, public sector that are hugely, dependent and, dependent on foreign service providers. There's still these large companies that dominate the cloud providers, artificial intelligence, data centers that's so important for our digital economy, and this is key. Data centers are not just technical infrastructure. They are really the heart of digital power who controls, the data, the quality of, the service, and how resilient we can be in the face of crisis. If we want true digital sovereignty, this package needs to go from, crisis management to building our own European capacity. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• 2025-09-30 “E-003786/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen On behalf of the European Commission The Commission is monitoring the recent events in Spain and Portugal, and the importance of resilient energy and digital infrastructures in crisis situations. The network code on electricity emergency and restoration (Regulation (EU) 2017/2196) 1 requires Member States and transmission system operators to outline electricity restoration priorities in line with national emergency and restoration strategies. Risk preparedness Regulation (EU) 2019/941 2 allows Member States to designate users who receive protection against disconnection to ensure public safety and personal security. Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/775 3 details categories eligible for protection, including digital and telecom services needing uninterrupted operation. These services are advised to implement robust business continuity arrangements to uphold service levels during electricity crisis, moving beyond risk-preparedness provisions. Directive 2018/1972 4 requires Member States to ensure the availability of voice communication and internet services during breakdown or force majeure situations. The Commission is exploring avenues to bolster resilience and preparedness across interconnected infrastructures, through tools like the Resilience of Critical Entities Directive (EU) 2022/2557 5 , the Preparedness Union Strategy 6 , and the Cable Security Action Plan 7 . Discussions to further enhance connectivity resilience are ongoing in the review of the Directive 2018/1972. EU funding instruments like the Connecting Europe Facility, Recovery and Resilience Facility, are vital for supporting investments in backup power and energy solutions. In 2026, the Commission will also adopt the revision of its energy security framework. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/2196/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/941/oj/eng. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2020/775/oj/eng. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1972/oj/eng. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2557/oj/eng. 6 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/41857877-71e9-4477-9d69-131b0161bcce_en. 7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025JC0009.”
  Cybersecurity investments for critical infrastructure
• “Muchas gracias, senora. Thank you, Mrs. Jorna. Thank you for presenting the automotive omnibus and battery booster strategy. The central message is clear the. Vehicle strategy alone is not enough. Electrification of cars requires a clear, stable objectives system deployed throughout Europe and enough capacity to meet growing demand. There are doubts as to whether the support will be sufficient. As my colleagues have already said, but it's also a scaling and in speed in order to get European industrial value. The regulatory costs are also, worryingly, being transferred to the final cost of the vehicle. And, uh, it's a problem for making these vehicles accessible, as the commission has announced. So how is the commission going to ensure that the flexibilities in the automotive strategy are not going to, uh, make the Electric vehicles less accessible. And we how do we avoid people moving to more expensive options? And how can we ensure that the battery booster strategy will strengthen European industry without transferring additional costs to the price of the electric vehicle? Thank you.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Thank you very much. Now for the SMEs investigation. Research and innovation is at the core of Competitivity and the strategic approach of the European Union, and thus the new programme, horizon. Europe ought to be very ambitious in the agricultural sector. And, of course, all of this in order to have a few food security a little bit slower, says the chair. Now, now the next. Uh uh. Horizon Europe framework requires ambitious funding for agriculture and for food security as well. It has to be proportional to the size of the particular challenges that we confront. Now it's the primary sector, which is extremely important, and we may have to make sure that the funding goes in the right direction. This innovation ought not only be for agro industry, it ought to be accessible for SMEs or rather small farmer, small farmers as well family farmers as well, so that they can participate and have a bit of the cookie as well. And sustainability. Social sustainability, extremely important for generational change and also providing for gender equality in the rural world as well. Uh, it's important for people on the ground to be able to participate in all aspects of research and science, ought to provide practical solutions, uh, bolster food security, and, of course, provide for a continuum, uh, in the sector and for a future in the sector. And I'm sure, indeed that will be able to work together jointly in a concerted fashion with the other colleagues as well for a wonderful text. Thank you.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Thank you. Dear Executive Vice President, I want to talk about the European business wallet that promises to be one of the most significant digital infrastructure fireworks. It will provide every business with a secure, verifiable, verifiable digital identity and a harmonized way to interact with authorities, supply chains, data space and critical infrastructures across the EU. However, some risks could undermine its potential. How will the Commission ensure that micro, small and medium sized enterprises can adopt the European business wallet with efficient, prohibitive costs, complex onboarding or IT integration challenges? How will the EU be warranty that business data remains under the control of companies, preventing overcollection of or tracking the relevant parties and ensuring transparent privacy, respecting use and with multiple providers? How will the Commission ensure healthy competition and prevent dominance by large providers so that SMEs have fair and accessible option for wallet services? Thank you so much.”
  Electronic identity
• “Thank you. President. Europe imports more than 80% of its digital infrastructure and its key technologies. Our dependence, the digital and technological dependence is an Achilles heel when it comes to countries like the United States imposing conditions on us that are counter to the way we wish to work. We can not we cannot continue to accept this. So we need to have an ambitious digital policy in the European Union, which will allow us to develop, um, digital and technological sovereign euro stack, right from semiconductors to I. We need resources as well. And the next MFF has to have a chapter for digital sovereignty. Public financing is essential in order to reduce dependencies and to increase our autonomy. We also need public contracting as a lever. We need open source and obviously focus on the European businesses as a priority over US and China. Companies under one essential aspect that we shouldn't forget is talent. Um, there are not all that many, uh, people who have the right kind of digital skills. And if we don't invest in this, we won't be able to have a true digital revolution. So we have to act now in order to guarantee our future.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you chairman. Thank you. Ministers all during your speech. His speech during the last plenary session, Prime Minister Tusk defended the idea of reducing energy prices and reviewing the Green Deal, saying that Europe's competitiveness was being threatened by some of these things. So here come my questions. How does your government envisage ensuring the appropriate levels of investment to ensure renewable energies and ensure that the stability in the electricity market, and ensuring the legal and financial stability that will ensue from a review of Green Deal policies and then on, uh, energy dependency with Russia, we hear that Poland has signed new deals with Russian energy providers and has taken Gazprom off the sanctions list. In addition, the European although the European the European Commission is also looking at a joint gas purchasing platforms and also ETS to try and deal with the energy issues. So in that, given that, how can Poland justify its measures, the measures that it's taken while rejecting what's been done at the European level on energy. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thank you chair. And thank you, Mr. Dear, for your presentation of your your programs. This discussion comes at a very important moment. I particularly welcome your three essential pillars. These three pillars provide a clear and practical roadmap for translating gender equality into tangible results. Connect, educate and amplify implementing gender criteria in capital funds. Open the door to a more inclusive Ecosystem, where women and entrepreneurs can access the necessary financing to innovate and grow. Promoting female participation in venture capital not only addresses historical inequality, but also strengthens the competitiveness and sustainability of the market. In this context, ensuring that gender equality and particularly the empowerment of women entrepreneurs and investors remains a clear and measurable objective within EU. Spending is essential not only for fairness but for the strengths and competitiveness of European industry itself. Women are already central to Europe's industrial transformation, leading startups managing factories, developing new technologies and driving the green and digital transitions on the ground. Yet they remain underrepresented in investment networks and financial decision makers, often facing structural barriers to finance and visibility. When gender is not considered, inequality grows. And when we fail to invest inequality, we pay the price in lost entrepreneurial talent, misses investment opportunities, slower innovation, and weaker democracy. It's time to move beyond words and deliver results. Our societies advance not through statements, but through real and concrete actions. For this means keeping gender equality as a priority from this House. We must continue to insist on the integration of gender perspective in all our work, in our reports, in public hearings, and in every policy discussion. We need to ensure a real balance between women and men in decision making space, including the defence and organisation in this Parliament.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. I'm going to talk in, in Spanish. Gracias. Thank you. Chair. Executive vice president. Last week, we heard about two key initiatives for digital sovereignty cyber security and digital leaders. This is an opportunity to modernize European infrastructure and look at things such as the single passport and inspections, and also restating commitment to neutrality. We also welcome the fact that there is a. Dispute resolution mechanism for problems between operators, for example. But we see that many cases are taking a great deal of time to be resolved and take a lot of a lot of resources for European operators. Um, what how do we, um, think that's going to be, uh, resolved? Um, are you going to be also, um, encouraging non-European actors rather than strengthening our own industry. I'm also wondering what measures or safeguards you're envisaging to ensure that there is European investment in infrastructure and development, and that there won't be harmed by the involvement of other stakeholders. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Europe has outstanding women's sporting innovation in energy and in the digital sector and their voices must be here. Technological transformation such as AI are no longer part of the future. They are our present and women must be at the centre of this technological revolution, not only as employees or participants, but as investors and decision makers. Ensuring women's access to financing to finance and participation in industrial alliance and innovation programmes. Supporting skills development and technical training for women in a strategic sector. Encouraging networks of women investors to help direct capital towards sustainable and inclusive innovation, and maintaining a transparent gender budgeting approach so we can track whether our policies truly lyrics. Woman on the ground. If we want a competitive resilience and fair Europe, gender equality and women's economic empowerment must not be an afterthought. It must be built into the very architecture of the next MFF. Equal participation is not an option. It's a condition for Europe's industrial resilience. Because Europe's competitiveness, democracy and future depend on the equal participation of women and men. If we want a competitive and sustainable European industry, we must invest in all of these talents and this means investing in women. I thoroughly appreciate both programmes you present here today in this Invest Europe under gender criteria. And of course Women Invest EU. They are essential initiatives to promote gender balance and empower more women to participate in the investment ecosystem. Stem for years. Investment and finance have been associated with male figures. We have to change this perception and encourage more women to feel confident and empowered to invest, to invest and take the lead in this sector. Thank you so much.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Madam Commissioner. Science and innovation are our present and our future. And that is why the Choose Europe for science should be a roadmap to tackle the challenges over the next few years. What history would we have had without Margarita Salas, Darwin, Marie Curie and others? I can assure you that history as we know it would have not occurred in the same way. Let us get rid of barriers in science and technology, and let us break glass ceilings so that we women can also be at the forefront and be trailblazers in science and innovation when it comes to research, innovation and development. Digitalisation, AI and other tools have to be bolsters to help us achieve more freedom, security and competitiveness. Given that US oligarchs such as Trump and Elon Musk are threatening us. We need Europe to be a leader in innovation so young people can choose to come to Europe and stay. So this project is good news, but we have to continue being ambitious. We have to continue attracting talent through more investment and better working conditions. If we want Europe to progress scientifically, we need to be on the side of our scientists, men and women.”
  Research priorities within the EU · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you, Madam President. Commissioner, the delay of the automotive package has simply created more uncertainty at a time where the sector needs clarity and regulatory stability. Industry can't plan for the future if we keep changing the goalposts. So the 2035 deadline for decarbonisation has to be maintained. The revision of CO2 standards should strengthen emission reduction and favour electrification, not slow it down. Let's not delude ourselves that petrol and diesel engines are going to solve our problems when global competition is moving forward towards electric vehicles. Europe has to respond with ambition. Build a European value chain of batteries, reduce our dependence on external supplies, and establish clear conditions for foreign investment. To guarantee technological technology transfer and high quality jobs in Europe. If we want the transition to work, we have to act now. With more affordable electric cars, assistance to purchase, and massive deployment of recharging infrastructure, Europe needs leadership and not more delay.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Yeah. Only three sentences. This discussion underscores a crucial through gender equality is not merely a social goal. It is a strategic imperative for Europe's competitiveness. We must transform commitment into action and ensure that women have equal access. Access to the resources, networks and opportunities. When women participate fully, societies become more dynamic, industries more competitive, and innovation more inclusive. Europe's future depends on Benson investing in all its Italian woman will be there, leading, not only participating. When women rise to lead, democracy grows stronger. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. This package of simplification measures is important to adapt the cap to the challenges that the sector is facing. It will help make adaptations for all of the agricultural workers in the sector. This is something we need to help improve efficiency and proportionality in the sector without forgetting environmental measures or social measures. An increase in the maximum threshold for direct aid to tackle crisis situations or natural disasters. This is an important aspect of this new revision. But we cannot afford, uh, the protection of our soils and our fields because otherwise there wouldn't be any future for our rural areas. We also need to secure the future for our farmers and agricultural workers, and it's important to have written contracts. To do this, we need to make sure there is legal certainty and stability for our farmers by ensuring that there is a fairer situation for them in the supply chain. We will continue to work for a simpler scene, but one that is fairer and more sustainable as well. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. My colleague is next. Madam president. Farmers make up an important part of our economy. Agreed agreements like the Mercosur agreements are the death.”
  Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1)
• “Thank you very much indeed. President. Commissioner. Well. People on the right. Stop lying. Stop fooling European citizens, making them believe that they won't be able to use their combustion engine cars because, um, basically, um, we need to put an end to CO2 emissions to have a better future, but, uh, lying to them is in your interest because what you're going to do, uh, we'll be talking about the lack of charging points for 2035. We're not talking about the 500 million cars, um, every year that, um, force Europe to import fossil fuels. Obviously, there are logistical efforts being made by manufacturers, but what you're really interested in, obviously, is to demonise electric cars because you'll meet the interests of your allies and your commercial bodies. Electricity is the only genuinely sustainable technology, and that we should be focusing on in order to support demand in the sector. And you know what? We're not here to work for your interests. We're here to work for the 3 million workers in the European car industry to offer them a prosperous future with industrial investment and consumer support programmes. And we also hope that we'll be able to continue working in that direction with the European Commission. So please retain your targets for 2035. Thank you.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “(17:56:54 – 17:58:30): Thank you, chair. Thank you, commissioner. Today, after several postponements, we have been able to examine the long awaited package on technology and innovation and technology sovereignty. And I do have a number of questions about this. How can you guarantee that the system which has been suggested for cloud sovereignty will truly reduce our strategic dependence on, third countries. In practice, it seems that this model will allow non European providers to, satisfy between 99100% of our our cloud needs. And there could be the need for further intervention further down the road. And how can the commission guarantee that this framework will not just manage dependencies, but also push forward a true AI cloud model so that European providers can scale up and continue to provide for a significant proportion of the market rather than remaining on the sidelines and will be forced to use your U. S. Providers because it seems this may not translate into a large proportion of the EU market.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you very much. President. Commissioner Jurgensen, with the publication of the action plan, the Commission recognizes that the fundamental obstacle for competitiveness in Europe are prices and dependence on external fossil fuels. A major step in the right direction. We have to reduce, of course, the tariffs and we have to provide for greater flexibility, uh, reducing the approval periods and moving forward with renewables and coupling that with the possibility of reducing prices to the fossil fuel prices, in other words, those of renewables. This has to be done in an effective fashion. There are certain bottlenecks here, of course, which are blocking our speedy achievement of those particular targets, and that is interconnections. It ought to go way beyond that, actually. And we need public investment. We have to be able to reduce prices and invest and create greater and a more thick network of interconnections as well. Over these last couple of years, Spain has opted for renewables. We're trying to reduce the prices as well. We want a clean, competitive Europe that leaves nobody behind. Thank you.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Thank you very much. The European steel sector, as we've heard, is facing serious challenges over capacity. Unfair trade practices from third countries, high energy prices and climate neutral transition. This is a crucial turning point to ensure that the sector can deal with these challenges. But to do that, we must require the Commission to guarantee proper implementation and to ensure that it's ambitious enough in tackling unfair trade policies with their impact on exports and its impact on the sector. I would ask the Commission how it plans to deal with energy prices, as my colleague Nicole mentioned. Given that we've got the clean industry package on the table. Thank you.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “Thank you. Chair. I have two questions. One of them for the Mr. Gruevski, the strategic governance approach includes the quantum flagship as the main R&D engine. The European Quantum Industry Consortium, the to coordinate industry and academia, and efforts to align national and EU level investments. Given the complexity of coordinating across multiple member states and funding streams, do you consider this governance mechanisms robust, robust enough to prevent fragmentation and duplication? Or do you see gaps that could harm their industry, infrastructure development and collaboration? The second one is from Mr. Aström. The upcoming cloud and AI development is reportedly considering an EU preference that only allows EU cloud providers to offer services for critical infrastructure infrastructure cases, while other sectors remain open to border competition. Do you think this targeted approach is sufficient to help EU cloud providers scale up and strengthen the European cloud market? Or show the legislation. Take additional steps to foster growth and competitiveness across all sectors. Thank you.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner Wilkinson, the last plenary, the president of the Commission put sovereignty of the European Union at the heart of the state of the Union address. But this issue of sovereignty is not something defended with speech, but with decisions. Large digital platforms are underlining our rules, spreading misinformation, Confusing our market and the commission looks the other way and doesn't provide reprisals. So the decision is not just based on tanks and missiles. The idea is that we implement the rules we have. We have to put a brake on disinformation. Otherwise, we'll leave Europe exposed and vulnerable. The monopoly that the platforms have is based on their revenues, and we need to provide audacious solutions to restore the freedom of the press. The commission warns about specific dangers. But at the same time, we are seeing the investment of billions in foreign chips while we fail to protect our own industry. This is a self boycott. What we need is a robust European strategy because sovereignty is not something that needs to be programmed. It's something that needs to be exercised and defended.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. The Steel and Metals Action Plan is a step forward. We welcome the plan's commitment to decarbonization and incentives for green steel. Also, um, flexibility of cbam for key products. Um, but there's still a lot to do. The current commercial safeguards are not enough. The commission is going to set out a new instrument in the third quarter to try to do something about this. We need to ensure that these these instruments are genuinely effective, but also that they're implemented now. The new measures taken by the United States require faster, more decisive action than what the Commission is proposing. We can't forget the high prices of energy either. These are also an obstacle. We need urgent measures to reduce these obstacles. Otherwise, our efforts to decarbonise will be blocked. The Commission needs to act urgently on all of these areas to improve our resilience and competitiveness, for our industry and for the jobs it creates. Thank you, thank you.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “(16:42:49 – 16:44:49): You very much, Chair, and thanks to the rapporteur for presenting the draft. The SNDUI Group believes firmly that EFRE funds should maintain their essence, economic, social, and territorial cohesion to contribute to the reduction of disparities between regions supporting a greener, more connected Europe and a more social Europe as well. We're extremely concerned about the direction proposed by the Commission in the framework of the new budget. Under the pretext of modernization, simplification, and efficiency, we see a real risk of renationalization of the cohesion policy and a weakening of funding for social cohesion, climate action, and regional convergence. Moving fundamental priorities and decision making from regions, cities, and local actors in the future national plans would do away with the essence itself of the cohesion policy, multilevel governance, collaboration, and a territorial focus. From the point of view of envy, we insist that climate and the environment aspect shouldn't be weakened. Funds should be used to support the green transition and renewable energies. The objective of climate neutrality for 2050 should continue to be reflected fully in these EFRD funds. In summary, the proposal should back up the current model of cohesion policy. The value lies in its territorial focus and collaboration, focusing on long term convergence. Europe needs greater solidarity and investment, not more centralization or less environmental ambition. We do hope to work constructively with our colleagues to ensure that the envy opinion reflects a cohesion policy that is solid, sustainable, and truly European. Thank you very much.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you. President. Vice president. The Social Democrat group is committed to a digital package, which should encourage digital innovation and reduce the competitiveness gap in Europe. The single window for cyber incidents and the integration of rules on non-personal data are important steps in that direction. But we want competitiveness, which places Races citizens at the heart of things and protects their data. Unfortunately, it seems that the Commission has given way to pressure from big tech companies, turning simplification into a way to drop safety standards. The package would reduce protection of sensible, sensitive data, exposing citizens to discriminatory practices. The same applies to the AI act putting out obligations as regards high risk AI. Getting rid of or diluting traceability would be a threat to the humanist model on data in Europe. We will not support the regulation agenda because the strategy should serve Europe, not big tech. We should enforce our rules and inspire partners internationally. But we must always stand by our sovereignty and our digital security. Thank you.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Thank you, chair, and thank you, Commissioner. I would like to ask several questions. The first on pillar two for Horizon Europe. It is fundamental for boosting innovation, for example, decarbonisation of industry and electric mobility. But what we can see is that we are lagging behind other economies like the US. What tangible measures will the Commission take to strengthen pillar two to be a driving force for decarbonisation and competitiveness in these key sectors? Also, I would like to talk about the ten budget autonomy the EPP has hoped to put in the Competitiveness Fund, defending The need to have an autonomous budget. That is enough. Will the Commission support this integration even though the Parliament has actually rejected that? And how would you see the budgetary approach to that? Thank you.”
  EU research funding
• “Thank you. Madam president, Commissioner, the European automotive sector is at a crucial juncture now. For that reason, we cannot allow further uncertainty. Rethinking current legislation creates doubts for companies. The 2035 target should be unmovable. We need to respect it. There are thousands of workers depending on the sector. We need to be giving solutions within the current regulation rather than endless debates. We should be focusing on electrification. Let's not be fooled by technological neutrality will not benefit industry. It will lead to more expensive, less efficient technologies than e-vehicles. We should invest in batteries to bring stability to the sector. The answer is not to postpone targets, but to help citizens and producers. Together with our targets, we need direct incentives for purchases. We need European social leasing, and we need upskilling and reskilling of workers in the sector so that it is a fair, ambitious reform with no backsliding.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• “Thank you, chair, and thank you, Commissioner. Biofuels have a very important role to play in areas that it's very difficult to electrify, like maritime and aviation, but they can't be the main solution for road transport. The European priority needs to be electrification. That is the most efficient solution. It's competitive and it's also the most sustainable. Electric cars consume less energy. They reduce our dependence on third countries and they also add to European innovation. And they're also the cheapest way to run a car for consumers. We need to have a regulatory framework that creates certainty. But at the moment there's uncertainty around batteries and networks. We have sectors like maritime and aviation transport that could use bio fuels, which would help with decarbonisation. But for road transport, we need to make sure that we don't end up losing resources to biofuels.”
  Road transport environmental policy