In an intervention to the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, former Prime Minister and Head of the Labour Party Delegation at the Socialist and Democratic Group (S&D) at the European Parliament Alfred Sant emphasized that digital platforms should operate in a level playing field environment. He insisted that further discussion should be carried out on the
possibility and feasibility to break up the dominant position created by certain digital companies.
Sant expressed support to the Parliament’s first reading on the Digital Markets Act highlighting that the proposed actions point towards the right direction to ensure a fairer and a more open EU digital market. That said he raised the alarm with regards to the current situation by which a small number of companies rule the roost of the online market and emphasized that this is
dangerous and unacceptable.
“We have been led to believe that from many aspects, our economy is reaping the fruit of a digital market that thrives within an open market system. Yet, small businesses and consumers alike find themselves trapped inside a quasi-monopolistic scenario” Sant stated.
There are around 100,000 online platforms operating in the European Union of which the vast majority are small and medium-sized enterprises. However, throughout this century certain companies have gained a monopolistic position leading to unfair competition. The overarching objective and main thrust behind the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is to make certain that all digital
companies regardless of their size are treated in a fair and equal manner.
The Labour MEP pointed out that many times one or two gatekeepers influence and control the system by deciding who enters and exits the market, and by offering what is on this same market. Sant stated that he is in favour of the move towards the opening of the market through interoperability and a structured system which aims to ensure a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding whereby actors that control the competitive aspect of the European digital market will
be kept in check.
“From a competition aspect, these would be positive initial steps. Now a debate on the possibility and feasibility of breaking up these monopolies should also take place” he added.
The European Parliament’s first reading on the Digital Markets Act was adopted with 642 votes in favour, 8 against and 46 abstentions.
