Spain calls for discussion on foreign interference at March 20 summit of EU leaders

Brussels – Russia with its propaganda machine, sure. But that’s not all. Spain sees a widespread problem of outside interference in the decision-making process in Europe and calls for a discussion at a leader level. “We are asking for an item on fake news and foreign interference on the agenda of the March 20 European Council summit,” said Fernando Mariano Sampedro, secretary of state for the EU, as he arrives in Brussels for the work of the General Affairs Council, devoted precisely to preparing for the summit.

The provisional agenda of the EU heads of state and government meeting has seven items: Ukraine, Middle East, competitiveness, new multi-year budget (MFF 2028-2034), immigration, oceans, and foreign affairs. Madrid is proposing an addition to an already full agenda with sensitive topics nonetheless.

However, the issue of external pressure on the EU is also delicate. Sampedro does not go into specifics. He raises the issue of “foreign interference,” including by Elon Musk, CEO of X and Tesla, who has gone out of his way to indicate who to vote for in German elections. Now, however, Musk is part of the US administration, so there is a risk of a new clash with US President Donald Trump.