login
login
Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13880
Contents Publication in full By article 37 / 38
NEWS BRIEFS / Digital

European Parliament to use French search engine Qwant by default instead of Google starting 4 June

03/06/2026 (Agence Europe) – Starting Thursday 4 June, the European Parliament will use Qwant, the French search engine launched in February 2013, by default, replacing Google. This change, which will apply automatically while still allowing users to choose another search engine, “forms part of a broader framework of measures aimed at reducing the European Parliament’s dependence on non-European digital tools and promoting European services that respect privacy”, an institution spokesperson confirmed to Agence Europe. This change will affect “only” the Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox browsers, as these are “the browsers deployed by default in European Parliament’s IT environment”, he added. (APH)

Contents

'Tech sovereignty' package
DIGITAL: European Commission unveils legislative package on tech sovereignty to reduce Union’s external dependencies
DIGITAL: European Commission proposes sovereignty risk assessments for public cloud services
COMPETITIVENESS/DIGITAL: semiconductors - EU wants to secure its place in global market and shield itself against supply disruptions linked to geopolitical shocks
ENERGY/DIGITAL: Commission banking on artificial intelligence and digitalisation to optimise operation of grids and reduce energy costs in Europe
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECONOMY: European Commission grants limited fiscal flexibility to EU countries investing to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
SOCIAL/EMPLOYMENT: European Commission sets out avenues for consolidating employment and improving quality for skills, activation policies, access to housing
FINANCES: personal pensions - Stéphanie Yon-Courtin sets out priorities for relaunching ‘PEPP’ to MEPs
ECB: use of cash, profile of project, stablecoins... MEPs seek clarifications on digital euro
EXTERNAL ACTION
ENLARGEMENT: Hungary has announced an agreement with Ukraine, paving the way for the opening of the first set of accession negotiation chapters
ENLARGEMENT: future accessions and gradual integration of Western Balkans are at heart of discussions at summit in Montenegro
TRADE: EU considers additional tariffs planned by US in name of combating forced labour to be “unjustified”
MEDITERRANEAN: EU announces new €80 million fund for sustainable job creation and social impact in Southern Mediterranean
SECTORAL POLICIES
SEA: European Commission launches OceanEye to boost ocean observation and strengthen EU maritime sovereignty
FISHERIES: MEPs call on European Commission to revise Common Fisheries Policy rules
AGRICULTURE: fertilisers - Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Emissions Trading System at heart of criticism in European Parliament
TRANSPORT: air passengers’ rights - discussions still deadlocked over compensation and to continue in coming days
TRANSPORT: divisions are already visible in European Parliament over regulation to decarbonise corporate fleets
TRANSPORT: light commercial vehicle emissions - MEPs in search of a “middle ground”
HEALTH: medical devices - EU Member States support simplification of rules, but are awaiting adjustments  
ENERGY: EU will not run risk of gas and oil supply shortages this winter, Dan Jørgensen assures European Parliament
JUSTICE: protection of environment through criminal law - MEPs approve EU accession to Council of Europe Convention
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: MFF 2028-2034 - MEPs insist on guaranteeing role of regions in functioning of future national plans
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
CULTURE/MEDIA: MFF 2028-2034 - divisions begin to appear in European Parliament over AgoraEU support programme for culture and media
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
DIGITAL: DMA – General Court annuls designation of Meta as gatekeeper only as regards Marketplace
Russian invasion of Ukraine
NATO: NATO-Ukraine Council, President Zelensky calls for more Patriot missiles and development of alternative European capabilities
RUSSIA: 25 MEPs call on EU to take action against commentator Xenia Fedorova
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
DEFENCE: EU Member States adopt EU Council mandate to negotiate with European Parliament on AGILE programme
DEFENCE: 28 countries taking part in drone coalition
DEFENCE: EU carries out fourth LIVEX
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: trafficking in human beings - faced with criminal networks using increasingly sophisticated means, experts call on EU to adapt its strategy
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT: MEPs call on European Commission for ambitious strategy to tackle health staff shortages
NEWS BRIEFS
ARGENTINA: European Union and Argentina sign two letters of intent to strengthen cooperation on combating drugs
ECB: Frankfurt-based institution authorises increase in number of euro coins put into circulation by Bulgaria and Belgium in 2026
COMPETITIVENESS: Member States approve EU participation in US ‘Pax silica’ initiative
TAXATION: Sweden expected to be authorised to apply temporary reductions in taxation of gas oil and unleaded petrol below EU minimum rates
JUSTICE: protection of vulnerable adults in cross-border cases - MEPs approve European Parliament-EU Council Interinstitutional Agreement
DIGITAL: European Parliament to use French search engine Qwant by default instead of Google starting 4 June
TANZANIA: MEPs call on European Commission to cancel its annual financial support plan for Dodoma