The use of declarations by the European Commission: 'Careful with that axe, Eugene'

In December 2022, the European Commission, the Parliament, and the Council solemnly adopted a Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles proposed by the Commission in January 2022. The 2022-Declaration intends to be a frame of reference for policymakers and private sector in driving a digital transition bound by European values and respect for fundamental rights. In this post, Naranjo recalls that the 2022-Declaration builds upon a series of documents about the digital space, including the Berlin and Lisbon declarations, the 2030 Digital Compass and the recently adopted ‘Digital Decade Policy Programme’. In addition to these, the Declaration builds on the experience of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In this contribution, we look at these initiatives and reflect about the use of declarations by the EU, particularly by its policymaker.