Metsola called publicly to look at “how to find an agreement on a second reading of this file,” in an address to EU leaders last week.
Cyprus in Monday’s note said there was a “pressing need” to close that legal gap. It said it “takes note of the political signal from the President of the European Parliament to encourage continuing the work on the proposal.”
If capitals choose to adopt their position, the law does not automatically pass: The Parliament would need to either accept it or re-enter negotiations. “There is no certainty that [the Parliament] would adopt the legislative act in second reading in line with the Council’s first reading position,” Cyprus wrote in the note.
Gregorová rejected the suggestion that lawmakers would budge. “The Parliament mandate is clear: A majority voted it down, meaning that we reject the extension.”
According to EU procedures, if capitals and the Parliament continue to disagree, they could move to a rare procedure known as conciliation.
Lawmakers will meet next Monday for a political negotiation on the other, permanent bill to tackle CSAM, though a deal at that meeting is unlikely, two Parliament officials and one national official involved in the process said last week.
Max Griera contributed reporting.
This article was updated to include a comment from a spokesperson for Metsola and additional detail.