If you’ve been around Brussels these last few weeks, there’s a good chance you’ve been subjected to chatter about the new European commission team.
Beyond all the announcements it felt odd that the nomination of Günther Oettinger as commissioner for digital economy and society stirred such vivid reactions.
Some were prompt to deliver a bashing, charging him with lack of competence, charisma and independence from big business. Just to nail the point digitally, the hashtag #OMGoettinger (Oh My God Oettinger) comes replete with banter and shock horror selfies. Children be warned.
Despite the political hysteria, digital enthusiasts of all political colours should rejoice at this nomination. Here’s three reasons why the nomination of Günther Oettinger is a really good sign for European policy in general, and the future of digital in Europe in particular.
"The EU now gets digital. It's rare to watch a video coming out of Brussels that makes you smile. Yet the president-elect of the commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, managed just that in his piece "you don't have to be a techie to believe in technology""
One, the EU now gets digital. It's rare to watch a video coming out of Brussels that makes you smile. Yet the president-elect of the commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, managed just that in his piece "you don't have to be a techie to believe in technology".
In less than a minute, and with military precision, he delivers three messages. He gets digital. He values heritage and culture. He sees harmony between them, not antagonism.
This is something to rejoice about coming from the top. The message is backed with a commission structure that puts digital at the heart of the single market (under Andrus Ansip) and economic and social transformations (under Oettinger).
This is a significant step forward to bring about tech policy that is coherent and wholesome. More needs to be done to retain talent and diminish burdens. Treating data as an opportunity rather than a threat will be a start. Making sure competition rules are respected so that smaller providers can emerge is also a priority
Two, the EU is placing this portfolio under the responsibility of a German, the economic and political motor of Europe, and of an Estonian, a digital pioneer in many aspects. This combination of power and experience can be a strong tag team within the commission to help move lines.
The fact that both embrace market economy concepts also bodes well for SME friendly policies. To flourish, tech start-ups will need to get more assurances that Brussels can deliver on breaking down barriers rather than erecting new compliance costs.
Start-up camps and incubators are flourishing across Europe, but the EU could and should do more to stop the businesses they spur from leaving.
"Taking a commissioner responsible for energy to head digital is an important symbol. Had Juncker wanted to post on top of the new org chart a tagline saying “digital is the new oil”, he could not have done a better job of it"
Three, taking a commissioner responsible for energy to head digital is an important symbol. Had Juncker wanted to post on top of the new org chart a tagline saying “digital is the new oil”, he could not have done a better job of it.
Digital is finally fully recognised as a critical sector and competence. The competence point is important because it allows going beyond sterile debates that put technology as a sector at loggerheads with other sectors such as culture and creative industries.
The app market is interesting to consider in this respect. European app developers stand at a particular nexus, a mix of local and digital, essentially entrepreneurs and SMEs, they represent Europe’s know-how in the global digital market place.
Major capitals and large regional cities are the reservoir of Europe’s app economy, the second largest in the world. They are an integral part of Europe’s creative sector and creators in their own right.
Creators will have tremendous room to grow if Europe is able to walk the walk; harmonising where possible, intervening where necessary and lowering the cost of doing business for SMEs to emerge.
I hope members of the European parliament will remember this when they grill the designated team over the coming week. Oettinger deserves every bit of luck we can wish him and some smiley selfies on #GOGOGOoettinger.