Mr. Paolo Cesarini:

I think the code of practice was a necessary step. It remains to be seen whether it is sufficient. We are in the process of evaluation. I cannot anticipate the conclusions that will be known to the next Commission, which is now carrying out caretaking duties but is unable to take political decisions on the next step forward. This moment will come very soon, early next year. My view is that today we are in a better place than we were a year ago. It is clear that much more needs to be done as well. There are several areas we may need to consider. I will not mention them all. As we are focusing in today's debate on political advertising, I remind the committee that the devil lies in the details. I refer, for example, to the definition of "political advertising". What would the ban be about? What about sponsored content that communicates on social, political and economic issues that do not come within electoral contests and, therefore, escape the definition? We are well aware that such content can influence and shape public opinion artificially and in a much more pernicious way in the long term. These complex questions need to be taken in their integrity and in their totality.