# EU centrists split on AI liability rules

> Von der Leyen's coalition fractures over whether AI companies should face legal liability for harm their models cause.
- Title: EU centrists split on AI liability rules · The Next Web
- Summary: Von der Leyen's coalition fractures over whether AI companies should face legal liability for harm their models cause. The European Parliament's centrist…
- Keywords: european parliament, ai liability, ursula von der leyen, ai regulation, eu law, socialists and democrats, greens, centre-right, ai act, technology, startups, centrists
- Source: The Next Web — https://thenextweb.com/news/ai-liability-rules-eu-parliament-split
- Author: Ana-Maria Stanciuc
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:42:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: european parliament, ai liability, ursula von der leyen, ai regulation, eu law, socialists and democrats, greens, centre-right, ai act, technology, startups
## Coalition splits on AI liability
The centrist parties backing Ursula von der Leyen clashed in the European Parliament on Thursday over whether AI companies should be held legally responsible for harm their models cause.
## The case for liability rules
Socialists and Greens want AI firms liable for harm like other product makers. Alex Agius Saliba, Socialists and Democrats vice-president from Malta, said withdrawing the AI liability directive was a big mistake.

> To withdraw the AI liability directive was a big mistake. We strongly urge the Commission to bring forward this important piece of legislation.
## Greens compare AI to faulty goods
Dutch Green MEP Kim van Sparrentak compared AI to dangerous products. She said if a phone charger explodes, we hold the manufacturer liable, not call it innovative.

> If a phone charger explodes in your house, we never call it innovative. We call it cheap, dangerous junk, and we hold the manufacturer liable for damages.
## Centre-right opposes more rules
Swedish centre-right MEP Arba Kokalari said the EU already has a full rulebook in the AI Act. She argued Europe should focus on less bureaucracy and more private investment to compete globally.

> Less bureaucracy, more private investments, better access to data and computing infrastructure.
## Commission cites disagreement
Jozef Síkela, the commissioner for international partnerships, said the Commission withdrew the liability rules because EU countries and MEPs could not agree on them.
## Key takeaway

The European Parliament's centrist parties split Thursday over AI liability rules, with Socialists and Greens demanding new regulations while centre-right MEPs argued Europe needs less bureaucracy to stay competitive.