Portugal Colonial - Could the digital euro get a green light in 2026?

The electronic version of the money used in the 21-nation currency area would be available to use free of charge in shops, online or from person to person.

Supporters say it would let Europeans make online payments without relying on US payment systems -- as Europe ramps up efforts to break its dependence on foreign firms including US giants such as Visa and Mastercard.

Critics fear it would allow governments to surveil citizens' payments or even cut them off from the money supply.

First suggested by the European Central Bank (ECB), the project has been some six years in the making.

The EU executive formally proposed a digital euro in June 2023 but any law to make it a reality needs the support of member states and European lawmakers.

EU countries in December gave their green light, putting pressure on lawmakers.

There is renewed optimism that the European Parliament could really take that step this year after lawmakers on Tuesday expressed their support for the project.

"The introduction of a digital euro... is essential to strengthen EU monetary sovereignty, reduce fragmentation in retail payments and support the integrity and resilience of the single market," an amendment backed by lawmakers said.

- Not cash replacement: Lagarde -

ECB chief Christine Lagarde on Monday sought to assuage privacy fears, telling EU lawmakers that the bank "would not have access to personal data".

And while a digital currency has no physical version and does not require the intermediary of a commercial bank, Lagarde insisted it was in "no way intended to replace cash" as she urged lawmakers to move forward.

After US President Donald Trump's threats -- from strong-arming Europe on trade to pushing to seize Greenland -- Europe fears it is vulnerable and must be more independent in strategic sectors like defence and tech.

The digital euro is part of the answer, say dozens of economists who called it an "essential safeguard of European sovereignty" in an open letter in January.

Lagarde echoed their thinking, saying: "It will be built on a fully European infrastructure, avoiding an excessive dependency on foreign providers for payment systems that are critical to the functioning of our economy."

EU right-wing lawmaker Johan Van Overtveldt expressed scepticism, although he acknowledged the domination of only a few companies for payment systems.

"I'm still a little bit sceptical whether the digital euro is the best answer, but we are good at finding compromises here in this house," he said during a parliamentary debate on Monday in Strasbourg, France.

- 'Pan-European, sovereign' solution -

The concerns about a digital euro are not limited to privacy.

European banks are wary that a digital euro could reduce demand for their online and electronic banking services, especially since some of them banded together to launch their own payment system Wero.

French liberal MEP Gilles Boyer said a private European payment solution would be welcome, but Europe wasn't going to "do nothing and wait again for decades".

"When it comes to payments in Europe we have a choice. Do nothing and remain totally dependent on American players. Or provide a pan-European, sovereign, public solution," Boyer told AFP.

The ECB says that if the parliament backs the digital euro this year, the currency could be issued during 2029.

In the meantime, the ECB will launch a pilot scheme in 2027.

P.Queiroz--PC