European news, December 16. The European Parliament's Committee on industry, R & D and energy, together with the Committee on internal markets and consumer protection, issued a position paper on a new strategy for the digital market to support the development of the sharing economy. The speaker, MP carras, said that the sharing economy is one of the most controversial issues, but it has won the support of all parties in the European Parliament after intense debate. The position paper said that it welcomes the increased competition and more consumer choices brought about by the mutual aid economic model, and the more inclusive employment market. It urged the European Commission and Member States to support the further development of the sharing economy, and to remove artificial barriers and related legal and regulatory barriers. The European parliament wants the Commission to examine whether existing regulations can address concerns about the sharing economy, and calls on the Commission to maintain policies that support online platform innovation.

In the debate, the most divisive issue among the parties was the new forms of employment brought about by companies such as Uber and airbnb. Parliamentarians stressed that current employment and social policies should adapt to the sharing economy, develop more flexible employment methods, and ensure the existing labor rights and social security system. At present, the European Commission has not yet formed a consensus on the sharing economy, and member states have different attitudes. Spain and other member countries are cautious about sharing economy. For example, Spain restricts Uber's operation, and airbnb can only operate under strict conditions in some regions.

The discussion of the sharing economy is part of a broader discussion at the EU level on how to deal with online platforms. In October, the European Commission held a public consultation on the online intermediary and platform regulatory environment. If the public has a lot of concerns about the collection and use of private data by online platforms and intermediaries, further legislative proposals may be put forward. The Commission hopes to strike a balance between facilitating innovative services, consumer protection and ensuring fair competition between different business models.