100 days have passed since the new European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, took office on 1 December 2019. Since then, European Commissioners working on a range of topics have unveiled their initiatives, strategies and action plans to deliver a strong, renewed European Union.

Our liberal Commissioners have been playing a key role in the development of the Commission’s six main priorities – ranging from Artificial Intelligence to media freedom – established at the beginning of this mandate. Many of these priorities were also included in the 2019 ALDE Party manifesto; a document that outlines the liberal vision for the European Union, adopted ahead of the 2019 electoral campaign. You can access the full manifesto in multiple languages here.

Below, we collected some of the key initiatives led by liberal Commissioners, and how they were reflected upon in the 2019 ALDE Party manifesto.

Cybersecurity toolbox – Margrethe Vestager & Thierry Breton

What is this initiative about?

The toolbox includes a series of mitigating measures – technical and strategic – to address potential security risks related to the fifth generation of telecommunication networks better known as 5G.

What does our manifesto say about this topic?

Addressing issues related to cyber security is key to us.

Increase EU capacity across institutions and Member States to defend our economies and societies against hybrid activities, such as disinformation campaigns, cyber espionage, cyber-attacks and crime.

A Strategy for Europe Fit for the Digital Age – Margrethe Vestager

What is this initiative about?

The strategy is one of the EU tools to pave the way for a European digital transformation and to become a world leader in technology. The main priorities are a technology that works for people, a fair and competitive economy and an open, democratic and sustainable society.

What does our manifesto say about this topic?

Establish he legal framework for a digital Europe that makes life better for all Europeans.

A fully-functioning Digital Single Market must be build & competition among companies in the digital space shall be ensured.

Promote competition among companies in the digital space.

White Paper on Artificial Intelligence – Margrethe Vestager

What is this initiative about?

The White Paper takes a human-centric approach and aims at building a framework for trustworthy AI based on clearer and stricter rules as well as excellence and trust. 

What does our manifesto say about this topic?

The EU should be the first to create a solid legal framework for new technologies such as blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and others to be used in the economy and public life.

European Data Strategy – Margrethe Vestager & Thierry Breton

What is this initiative about?

The strategy is aimed at boosting the digital sovereignty, empowering individuals by giving them tools to enforce their data rights and completing the single market of data as well as creating a Common European Data Space.

What does our manifesto say about this topic?

Data protection policies need to be harmonised and balanced in order to ensure the EU's future as place of innovation.

Addressing the issues of data protection and privacy is self-evident for us.

In our liberal Europe, there shall be no virtual borders.

EU funds projects to support media freedom and pluralism - Věra Jourová

What is this initiative about?

The projects will focus on building a pan-European response mechanism for violation of media freedom; a cross-border investigative journalism fund; and, providing support journalism and media freedom across the EU.

What does our manifesto say about this topic?

Protect and promote human and civil rights.

Addressing the issues of cyber security, data protection, and privacy is self-evident for us.

Continue our efforts to bring more transparency and more efficiency to the EU institutions.

Increase EU capacity across institutions and Member States to defend our economies and societies against hybrid activities, such as disinformation campaigns, cyber espionage, cyber-attacks and crime.

European Gender Equality Strategy - Věra Jourová

What is this initiative about?

The strategy presents the political guidelines to achieve equality for all and in all senses and sets out key actions for the three main European institutions as well as a gender mainstreaming to include an equality perspective in all EU policy areas.

What does our manifesto say about this topic?

Combatting violence against women is a priority (call all EU member states to ratify the Istanbul convention).

Promote gender equality and empower women and girls and to work for the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society – including economic participation and decision-making, regardless of gender.

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