European sovereignty • Table.Briefings

February 10th, 2026

Dutch MEP to become foreign minister in The Hague

Dutch MEP Tom Berendsen is set to become the Netherlands’ next foreign minister. The Christian Democrat has called for a stronger and more independent Europe on the global stage.

By Stephan Israel

Ferri Abolhassan, Telekom-Vorstand und CEO von T-Systems

Feature | Digital sovereignty

February 2nd, 2026

AI gigafactories: Deutsche Telekom’s Board of Management calls for a competitive policy framework

Deutsche Telekom intends to participate in the EU tender for one of the planned AI gigafactories. However, CEO Ferri Abolhassan has warned that persistently high electricity prices place European providers at a competitive disadvantage – undermining Europe’s technological sovereignty and innovative capacity.

By Corinna Visser

Kommissar Andrius Kubilius auf der 18. European Space Conference in Brüssel

News | Satellites

January 28th, 2026

GOVSATCOM: EU drives forward with secure satellite communications and Iris2

The EU is launching GOVSATCOM for secure satellite communications while at the same time pushing ahead with the successor system IRIS². Both projects are intended to provide Europe with an independent, interference-free communications infrastructure for government and military purposes.

By Corinna Visser

te, meThorsten Heilig ist Co-Founder und CEO der KI-Plattform paretos. Er unterstützt Unternehmen von Edeka bis Otto Group dabei, bessere Entscheidungen in Forecasting, Planung und Lieferketten zu treffen. Heilig ist Co-Autor des Fachbuchs „Decision Intelligence“ (Wiley Verlag).

Opinion | Artificial intelligence

January 27th, 2026

Decision-making intelligence is critical infrastructure for Europe

Artificial intelligence should enable faster, better, and more resilient corporate decision-making. Europe’s problem lies less in technology than in its ability to decide.

By Thorsten Heilig

Abstimmungsergebnis über den Initiativbericht des Europäischen Parlaments zur technischen Souveränität Europas.

News | European sovereignty

January 23rd, 2026

Technical sovereignty: European Parliament adopts own-initiative report

Members of the European Parliament have called on the EU to remain sovereign in the enforcement of its laws, particularly in the digital sector. Their demands also include a comprehensive European industrial policy.

By Corinna Visser

Henna Virkkunen during a press conference on the Cybersecurity Act at the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France.

Feature | Cybersecurity

January 21st, 2026

Cybersecurity Act: Commission prepares to exclude Huawei and ZTE from European networks

The European Commission aims to strengthen the protection of European communication networks through CSA2 and is introducing a joint risk assessment with member states. If Huawei and ZTE are once again classified as high-risk suppliers, they must be removed from critical parts of 5G networks.

By Corinna Visser

Talk of the Town | European sovereignty

December 11th, 2025

How the European Union is gearing up for a hostile US partner

Following António Costa’s recent critique, it is Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius’ turn to blast the new US security strategy and the hostile tones coming from Washington. The Trump administration has declared war on the EU in pursuit of its strategic interests, he writes. Members states will discuss their stance towards the US at next week’s EU summit.

By Stephan Israel

Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer, Wolodymyr Selenskyj und Emmanuel Macron in London im Dezember 2025

Feature | Peace negotiations

December 9th, 2025

Ukraine: How the Europeans are trying to stand up to the USA

European heads of state and government are intensifying their efforts to take a more independent stance on Ukraine policy vis-à-vis the USA. The aim is to strengthen Ukraine’s position in peace negotiations and secure financial support.

By Stephan Israel

December 5, 2025: Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council Roundtable (Telecommunications)

News | Digital policy

December 8th, 2025

Telecoms Council: Member states demand that the EU build its own digital capacities

The member states have adopted new conclusions on strengthening digital competitiveness. Germany is pushing for more ambition and clearer rules on the use of data and AI.

By Corinna Visser

Ron de Jonge ist Bereichsvorstand der Sopra Steria SE und leiten die Geschäftsbereiche Public Sector und Defence & Security. Der frühere Bundeswehroffizier gilt als anerkannter Experte für digitale Modernisierung. Götz T. Wiese ist Rechtsanwalt in Hamburg und Honorarprofessor der Bucerius Law School. Er war bis August 2025 Mitglied der Hamburgischen Bürgerschaft.

Opinion | Geopolitics

December 3rd, 2025

A new leadership model for Europe

Europe is in danger of being torn between the USA and China. Based on five leadership principles, we show how Europe can remain capable of acting in a multipolar world – institutionally, technologically and in terms of security policy.

By Ron de Jonge and Götz Wiese