Politico Europe has just announced its 20 MEPs to watch in 2020, and Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba has made the list.

The list, which features a good number of younger and fresh-faced MEPs, also featured newly-elected MEPs dealing with issues as varied as “climate change, artificial intelligence and industrial policy”.

Agius Saliba was recognised for the important work he is set to undertake in relation to proposing rules that tech giants like Google and Facebook will need to follow.

“Agius Saliba has been put in charge of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee’s report on the Digital Services Act — a future piece of legislation expected from the new European Commission that will set rules on how platforms such as Google and Facebook police illegal content online,” Politico reported.

Agius Saliba’s committee’s report may have far-reaching consequences for European content creators over the next few years – and even Politico noted how much pressure the Maltese MEP would be facing from tech industry giants.

“Saliba will work on what is already one of the mandate’s most high-profile technology files while navigating a new environment,” Politico pointed out. “The Maltese MEP will have to deal with an intense amount of lobbying from the private sector, which has already started. His report will set the tone on an issue that is already described as more controversial than the copyright reform.”

Agius Saliba, who was elected in the 2019 MEP elections, has already been affiliated with a number of proposals, including the right to disconnect, a universal charger for European mobiles, and increased rights for the deaf and disabled when it comes to video content.

Speaking to Lovin Malta, Agius Saliba said he was “satisfied” that he had been chosen for the list.

“The responsibility that I’ve been entrusted with to be a rapporteur of one of the most important files during the legislature is surely not a small one, but I look forward to it with optimism so that I can leave a positive impact on the lives of European citizens,” Agius Saliba said.

“I look forward to more work during the coming months to continue being a worthy representative of our country in the European Parliament,” he continued.

Maltese MEPs have previously been recognised as for their influential work by Politico.

Miriam Dalli was described by Politico as one of 28 persons set to influence politics throughout 2019, as well as being named as one of the Politico 40 – a list of 40 MEPs who made a difference during this legislature 2014-2019.

Prior to that, PN MEPs Roberta Metsola and Therese Comodini Cachia had been included in Politico’s ‘The 40 MEPs who matter in 2017’ list.

What do you think of Politico’s appraisal of the Maltese MEP?