Sandro Gozi, MEP from the Renew group, general secretary of the European Democratic Party and recently councilor of Paris, is the guest of The political workshophe answers Frédéric Rivière’s questions on the major challenges of the moment: public health, the protection of minors online, digital sovereignty, European defense and the political deadlines of 2027.
Health, the poor relation of European integration
The r©apparition du hantavirus en Europe brought to the forefront the issue of health coordination between Member States. For Sandro Gozi, real progress has been made since the Covid-19 crisis, but it remains insufficient.
« We are better equipped now than at the time of Covid-19, but I believe that health deserves even more significant reforms at the European level.»
«The European Union has already strengthened the exchange of health data between member states, encouraged the relocation of the production of medicines and harmonized the conditions for free movement of patients. The European Commission also presented a six billion euro plan to strengthen prevention and coordination capacities in the event of a pandemic.»
But to go further, and in particular establish a European Minister of Health with real powers, Sandro Gozi recalls that this would require revising the treaties. In the current state of European law, health remains an essentially national competence.
«There is a cross-border, transnational dimension of health which deserves rules and much stronger action at the European level. This should be at least a shared skill.»
Social networks: Europe under pressure
The protection of minors online constitutes another priority project for Sandro Gozi. The European Commission is preparing a ban on access to social networks for the youngest, with sanctions of up to 6% of the annual turnover of platforms that do not respect the rules.
« The fact that the Commission is starting to move. It was a great success, particularly in France. »
Sandro Gozi welcomes the French initiative of having legislated at national level, which pushed Brussels to act. He recalls that the Digital Services Act already provides for significant sanctions, and that an obligation of transparency of algorithms has been imposed on platforms.
« Now public authorities, researchers can open these black boxes and see how it happens.»
Beyond the rules, Sandro Gozi insists on the need for digital education for minors and parents. He denounces the economic model of platforms, designed to promote the virality of offensive and hateful content.
« It really is a digital plague, what’s happening with the mental health of our children. A scourge.»
Digital sovereignty: resisting American pressure
The question of digital regulation goes beyond, for Sandro Gozi, the simple technical framework: it constitutes an issue of sovereignty. And there is no shortage of pressure. The American administration, under the leadership of Donald Trumpis increasing its interventions with European institutions to obtain the abandonment or non-compliance with digital legislation adopted by the Union.
« The facts that the American administration, under pressure from Big Tech, is exerting enormous, unacceptable pressure on the European Commission, on the commissioners, on the European Parliament, on the governments so that we eliminate, so that we repeal, so that we do not apply the digital legislation that we have already adopted. This is unacceptable and we must resist.»
Sandro Gozi defends a “European way” of digital: neither the American Wild West, nor the total control of the Chinese Communist Party.
«It is a path that wants to encourage innovation, but also wants to protect fundamental rights, personal data and in particular the rights of our children.»
Mercosur: a political error by the Commission
The provisional entry into force of the free trade agreement between the European Union and the countries of Mercosuron May 1, sparked strong criticism, particularly from the French agricultural world. Sandro Gozi voted against this agreement.
« I voted against Mercosur because the constituency in which I am electedFrance, was absolutely against it, because the French were absolutely against it.»
Sandro Gozi does not deny the strategic interest of a common market of 700 million consumers between Europe and Latin America. But he points out the shortcomings of this agreement, negotiated over a period of twenty years and unsuitable for the new constraints imposed on European farmers in terms of pesticides and production methods.
« The Commission made a political error. It is an agreement from the past, which does not take into account new commitments on the climate, which does not take into account the fact that very restrictive standards have been imposed on farmers.»
«There is no autonomy, there is no European strategic independence of defense if there is not also a European industry.»
Le RN et 2027: «ÂThe risk of paralysis »
The question of a possible victory for the National Rally in 2027 leads Sandro Gozi to an unequivocal analysis: “The risk of paralysis» for the European Union, of which France is an essential state.
As for the 2027 presidential election, Sandro Gozi discusses his future commitment with caution, indicating that he will support the candidate with the best projects for France and for Europe. On a possible candidacy ofEmmanuel Macron in 2032, the answer is more direct.
« I have a lot of esteem for Emmanuel Macron. I believe that he was a president, particularly at the European and international level, visionary and courageous. And if in 2032, Emmanuel Macron presents himself, I will try, as in 2017, to be one of his supporters.»
Défense européenne : « A union within the Union »
Faced with threats on Europe’s eastern borders, Sandro Gozi pleads for strengthened military integration. HAS” We must build a union within the Union, a union of the défense inside the European Union. Why a union in the Union? Because we must move forward with the countries that have the will, without waiting for the slowest.»
Sandro Gozi also underlines the importance of an autonomous European defense industry. L’European Union has mobilized 150 billion euros for European projects in this area, but the fragmentation of military standards between member states remains a major obstacle.
