The European Commission is actively pursuing a strategy to bolster digital sovereignty by reducing reliance on US-based technologies. As part of this initiative, the commission has selected Element Pro as a designated alternative to Microsoft Teams, with a planned rollout scheduled for the summer of 2026.
According to internal memorandums, Element Pro is intended to serve as a sovereign backup solution. The system is designed to ensure operational continuity for commission communications and daily workflows in the event that Microsoft Teams becomes unavailable or experiences service disruptions.
The transition plan has faced significant criticism from European officials who have questioned the necessity of the new platform. Concerns were raised regarding the system's reliability as a backup and its overall value proposition, with some officials arguing that it fails to address practical operational requirements effectively.
User experience remains a primary point of contention among staff members. Several officials have compared Element Pro directly to Microsoft Teams, noting that the latter currently holds a clear advantage in terms of software maturity, ease of use, and comprehensive performance capabilities.
One official explicitly criticized the platform's interface and functionality, describing the user experience as poor and labeling the software as absolute garbage. These internal reactions highlight the challenges the commission faces in implementing its digital independence agenda.
