Parliament’s proposals to bolster democracy against foreign interference

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

• Russia is the primary external threat; Belarus, China, Iran and North Korea also active
• Protection of free and independent media and fight against online electoral interference are key
• Clear mandate and dedicated budget needed for new EU body tasked with combatting foreign interference
• Online platforms should act against bot-driven electoral interference

Foreign interference and disinformation threats are an attack on the “very essence of the European project”, MEPs warn, with citizens as primary victims.

On Tuesday, Parliament adopted (with 420 votes for, 220 against, 26 abstentions) a report on the findings of the special committee on the European Democracy Shield, including practical recommendations on how the EU can do more to defend its democratic institutions and strengthen its existing toolbox.

Parliament’s special committee was set up in December 2024 and tasked with assessing the intensification and impact of hostile activities targeting the EU, such as foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), hybrid attacks, and coordinated disinformation campaigns. In their findings, MEPs argue that the EU’s approach currently suffers from fragmentation, as individual member states cannot effectively counter these threats on their own.

A new EU entity fit to defend democracy

MEPs support the creation of the EU centre for democratic resilience (as announced by the Commission in its Democracy Shield strategy, in line with proposals tabled by Parliament during the previous term). They see this functioning as an independent “centre of excellence” to combat FIMI and disinformation and to coordinate national actions. The new structure should not duplicate existing tools but instead consolidate ongoing EU-level actions into a single entity with a clear vision, mandate, budget, and capacity to act. Participation should be mandatory for all member states and parliamentary oversight ensured .

Russia: primary threat to Europe’s democratic integrity

The report highlights Russia’s frequent hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure, such as cyberattacks, physical sabotage, arson, espionage and signal jamming, also originating from Belarus, China, Iran and North Korea. MEPs want expanded sanctions on the enablers of disinformation and on those that help circumvent existing sanctions. It also condemns Russia’s politically motivated “blacklisting” of EU officials, journalists and MEPs as an instrument of hybrid warfare.

Digital interference

As these attacks are happening largely in the digital sphere, MEPs demand rigorous enforcement of existing digital rules (such as the Digital Services and AI Acts), rather than new legislation. They also want platforms to be held accountable and to do more to combat bot-driven election interference and to protect democratic discourse. The report says freedom of expression and information are rights that protect human beings, not machines.

EU sovereignty

MEPs urge the EU to reduce its reliance on foreign-controlled technology in critical sectors, particularly from US tech companies and Chinese hardware, including through a balanced “buy European” strategy when investing in critical infrastructure, and diversification to more reliable partners for the supply of critical raw materials.

Electoral resilience

To protect election integrity from evolving threats and prevent proxy financing and interference, MEPs propose classifying electoral infrastructure as critical. They call for a “know your donor” principle for cryptocurrency-based political donations, for measures against malicious deepfakes and fraudulent ads, and for increased protection for female candidates.

They also say close cooperation and support for improving resilience in candidate and partner countries is essential, while condemning the instrumentalisation of migration as an unacceptable attempt to exert political pressure on the EU.

Media freedom and civil society

Strengthening media and AI literacy is key, alongside a robust and independent civil society, MEPs say. They call for long-term funding commitments on media freedom and investigative journalism, safeguards against illegal spyware, and support for civic participation.

Societal preparedness

MEPs stress that building democratic resilience requires society to continue to function in crisis situations. They recommend regular large-scale exercises, the creation of an EU-wide crisis alert app and the designation of an annual “European Preparedness Day” on 24 February – the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

More information on the report’s key points.

Quote

Rapporteur Tomas Tobé (EPP, Sweden) said during the plenary debate: “This report is not about regulating political opinions. It is about protecting our democracy from foreign influence operations. Russian bots are not free speech. Foreign interference is not free speech. And manipulating our elections is certainly not free speech”.