Vestager has “very high expectations” on digital during Portuguese EU Presidency

Vice-President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, reiterated that she has “very high expectations” for the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union (EU) on the digital transition, which starts on January 1st. The European Commissioner for Competition also pointed out that the country has “done a lot” in this sector.

“Portugal has done a lot in the digital sector and they are very focused on this topic,” said Margrethe Vestager, in a press conference at the Web Summit. Asked about the expectations for the country’s presidency in the digital field, the vice-president did not hesitate when she said they were “very high”.

The Commissioner also stressed that 20% of the Recovery and Resilience Fund, designed by the EU as a response to the pandemic, will be focused on this. Thus, it is expected that “during the Portuguese Presidency, recovery plans will be launched,” so “there will be a lot of digital work,” she pointed out.

As for the Digital Services Act, the European commissioner argues “it’s time for our democracy to keep up with digitization.” Vestager also explains that, essentially, the goal of this legislation is to “ensure that illegal content is eliminated.”