Henna Virkkunen, Finnish MEP and incoming European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, has prioritized quantum technologies as central to Europe’s technological future. During her confirmation hearing in the European Parliament, Virkkunen emphasized the importance of quantum technologies for strengthening the EU’s sovereignty and global competitiveness.
She proposed a long-term EU Quantum Chips Plan to boost Europe’s capabilities and address fragmentation in the quantum market. Virkkunen also introduced the idea of a Quantum Act to unify national efforts, streamline investments, and reduce dependency on non-European suppliers, echoing the goals of the Quantum Flagship SRIA 2030 roadmap.
Highlighting the EU’s world-class researchers, she stressed the need for collaboration across Member States and the industry to accelerate innovation and secure Europe’s leadership in the field.
This focus on quantum technologies aligns with the EU’s broader goals of technological leadership, safeguarding supply chains, and fostering innovation across critical technologies such as AI, cloud, and space.