This article argues that Europe’s digital sovereignty is imperilled – putting Europe’s values, democracy and society at stake. Instead of addressing the real challenges, Europe risks being led astray towards tantalising illusions of grandeur that Europe is unlikely to achieve – and that would not protect Europe’s sovereignty anyway. The good news is that European digital sovereignty is achievable - if Europe adopts a rigorously focused strategy that discards Europe’s delusions and embraces innovative solutions.  

The article: ''A Blueprint for a European Digital Sovereignty Strategy'', by IIEA researcher Seamus Allen, is published as part of the latest edition in the Trans European Policy Studies Association’s (TEPSA’s) Experts’ Debrief series, Strategic autonomy in an age of power politics. This edition considers challenges facing the European Union, including great-power competition, a tumultuous transatlantic relationship, and war on the European continent. They reflect on what Europe needs to do to become a stronger, more credible partner at the global level, capable of shaping outcomes rather than merely reacting to them. 

To read the article “Blueprint for a European Digital Sovereignty Strategy” follow the link below: 

https://tepsa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Experts-Debrief-strategic-autonomy.pdf#page=29  

The full TEPSA publication Strategic autonomy in an age of power politics is available on the TEPSA website at the following link:  

https://tepsa.eu/policy-advice/strategic-autonomy-in-an-age-of-power-politics/