Oral consultation on EU proposals on digitalization and AI

On Tuesday, 17 March, State Secretaries Willemijn Aerdts (Digital Economy and Sovereignty) and Claudia van Bruggen (Justice and Security) held discussions with the standing committees for Digitalization and for Economic Affairs / Climate and Green Growth. The topic of conversation was the parliamentary scrutiny reservations regarding the AI Omnibus (COM(2025)836) and the Digital Omnibus (COM(2025)837). The discussion focused on the 'special political importance' of the omnibus proposals. The committees also sought to establish information agreements with the cabinet.

Political importance

When the House asks the cabinet to notify the Council that a parliamentary scrutiny reservation applies to an EU legislative proposal, the cabinet cannot participate in the ongoing decision-making process on amending such a proposal without remaining in close consultation with the House. On 24 February 2026, the Senate invoked such a parliamentary scrutiny reservation for the EU proposals on the AI Omnibus and the Digital Omnibus. During the oral consultation, the rapporteurs on EU digitalization and AI legislation, Mary Fiers and Cees van de Sanden, presented on behalf of the committees the special political importance of the proposals under consideration. Various spokespeople from the parliamentary groups also raised questions and concerns. The consultation resulted in the establishment of information agreements. The cabinet will provide timely updates on the progress of the negotiations, any changes to the proposals, and the support for amendments proposed by the cabinet. Particular attention will be given to the concerns raised during the oral consultation.

Impact

State Secretary Aerdts noted that some aspects of the EU proposals also raise concerns within the cabinet. The core of the omnibus proposals is to reduce regulatory burdens with the aim of strengthening competitiveness. At the same time, the state secretary acknowledged that it is difficult to fully assess the impact of the proposals. According to Aerdts, there is insufficient support in Europe to request an impact assessment after all. Nevertheless, the cabinet is positive about the negotiation outcome achieved for the AI Omnibus. Regarding the remaining aspects, the state secretary indicated that the cabinet remains committed to strengthening the business climate and supporting SMEs. It will also negotiate on elements that could lead to additional regulatory burdens and undermine the objectives of the proposals.

Fundamental rights

State Secretary Van Bruggen (Justice and Security) addressed the impact of the proposals on fundamental rights, a point she considers particularly significant for the cabinet. The cabinet supports the simplification of digital legislation, but only if fundamental rights are not compromised, such as in the amendment of GDPR provisions, according to Van Bruggen. She is critical of proposals that lower the level of protection, for example regarding the processing of personal data in AI language models. At the same time, the cabinet remains committed to simplifying and clarifying digital legislation wherever possible.

Questions from senators

Senators sought further clarification on the impact of the proposals. Are the legislative amendments substantive or more technical in nature? What do the proposals mean for the various supervisory authorities? But also: why is it not possible to secure a majority in Europe for an impact assessment? According to Aerdts, the latter is entirely due to the procedural nature of the omnibus proposals, which means there is no majority for an impact assessment. In terms of content, Aerdts believes it is possible to forge coalitions. The cabinet is keen to engage in negotiations in Europe to address the concerns—both those of the House and the cabinet. The cabinet supports the proposal for information agreements from the rapporteurs and has pledged to respond in writing to further questions from Alexander van Hattem (PVV). In closing, the rapporteurs asked where the 'most challenging aspects' lie. Aerdts responded that the cabinet is satisfied with the outcome achieved for the AI Omnibus. At the same time, concerns remain regarding the Digital Omnibus, particularly concerning GDPR aspects and the EU reporting point.