The European Parliament has assigned responsibility for drafting its position on the Cloud and AI Development Act to Diego Solier, a Spanish member with less than two years of legislative experience. The decision places significant early-stage influence over the bloc's digital infrastructure rules in the hands of a former IT director who entered politics through a populist movement. Solier's appointment determines the baseline text that all subsequent amendments and negotiations must address, effectively setting the terms of debate for the entirety of the legislative process.
Power concentrated in the rapporteur role
Under the Parliament's internal rules, rapporteurs are allocated through a points-based system where political groups bid for specific legislative files. Once a group secures a file, the selection of the individual member is handled internally without public vetting. Academic analysis of EU legislative dynamics suggests the rapporteur is the most powerful actor during the proposal stage, as other groups can only modify the draft rather than replace it. This structure means Solier's initial text will define the scope of regulatory obligations for cloud providers and data centre operators across the union.
The Cloud and AI Development Act was proposed by the European Commission on June 3, 2026, as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on non-European technology providers. Current estimates indicate that European firms hold only 15 percent of the cloud market, a sharp decline from 29 percent in 2017. To reverse this trend, the Commission calculates that €120 billion in combined public and private investment will be necessary by 2035. The legislation will dictate procurement criteria for government contracts and establish rules for AI infrastructure investment.
Political origins and party fragmentation
Solier was elected in June 2024 as the second candidate on the list for Se Acabó La Fiesta, a Spanish populist party founded by social media personality Luis Pérez. The alliance dissolved in April 2025 after Pérez publicly accused Solier and a colleague of being influenced by the arms lobby following a vote on an €800 billion rearmament package. Pérez subsequently directed his online followers to locate and confront the two members, leading to a Spanish Supreme Court investigation into alleged harassment and disclosure of private information.
Following the break, Solier joined the European Conservatives and Reformists group, which is led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party. Pérez's own application to join the group was rejected due to conduct reviews and opposition from other members. The party leader faces separate legal scrutiny regarding a €100,000 cash payment made to his campaign by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur later arrested for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme. Solier has severed ties with Pérez and describes his current approach as a listening phase before committing to specific legislative positions.
Energy policy and regulatory stance
On policy matters, Solier has articulated a clear preference for deregulation and expanded energy capacity to support AI infrastructure. He argues that renewable sources alone cannot provide the stable power required for data centres and has called for reversing Spain's nuclear phase-out schedule. In a publication earlier this year, he wrote that European freedom depends on energy independence. This position aligns with several large American cloud providers that have sought agreements with nuclear plant operators to power their facilities.
His view on regulation contrasts with the approach taken by shadow rapporteur Nicola Zingaretti, who frames the legislation as a test of whether the EU can build a digital ecosystem while protecting citizens. Solier has stated he sees too many barriers as the primary problem facing European technology development. He advocates for simplifying the existing rulebook rather than adding new obligations, a stance that critics argue may favour incumbent companies over new market entrants.
Systemic concerns over selection transparency
The appointment has revived questions about how the Parliament allocates legislative power without external oversight. Earlier in 2026, civil society organisations called for the removal of another MEP from a digital file due to prior industry lobbying roles. While Solier's situation differs as he lacks documented financial relationships with cloud stakeholders, both cases highlight the same structural feature. Enormous early-stage legislative power rests with a single individual selected through internal group mechanics rather than a process voters can observe.
Digital rights advocates argue this system requires reform to ensure public confidence in the legislative output. The Parliament updated its conflict-of-interest declaration rules in 2025, requiring rapporteurs to submit formal declarations for each file. It has not been publicly confirmed whether Solier has filed such a declaration for the Cloud and AI Development Act. The consultation window he has described remains the practical point at which advocacy groups and citizens can shape the draft before it becomes entrenched in committee.
People mentioned
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Diego Solier
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Luis Pérez
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Nicola Zingaretti
Organisations
European Parliament · European Commission · Se Acabó La Fiesta · European Conservatives and Reformists
