“European Digital Sovereignty”. Legal Reality or Expression in Support of the (Geo)political Rhetoric?

This article aims to study the outlines of the notion of “European Digital Sovereignty” from the standpoint of the “classical” concept of sovereignty such as defined by Jean Bodin and Thomas Hobbes. The purpose is to appreciate the adequacy of this concept in relation with the issues arising from digital technology and globalization on the one hand, and how the European Union could respond to these issues on the other hand. The solution proposed is to redefine this concept through the notion of “European Digital Sovereignty”, which would allow a shared exercise by the European Union and the Member States of the sovereignty with regard to the digital field. Tangible signs of a “European Digital Sovereignty” are then highlighted and assessed during the implementation of the European Digital Policy.