Foreign interference in elections: the EU’s definition

Brussels – “Foreign interference in the context of elections and democratic debate happens when a foreign state or foreign actor undertakes or triggers a covert operation, directly or through proxies, which aims to harm the integrity of the democratic debate, institutions or processes.” In the words of the Commissioner for Democracy and the Rule of Law, Michael McGrath, this is the definition of external interference in EU decision-making processes.

In the reply to MEPs requesting clarification on this issue, the Irish member of the College of Commissioners does not mention any third country specifically. However, within the European Union, Romania, for the first time, annulled its presidential election result precisely for alleged interference in the political debate and election campaigning. In this specific case, Russia was accused of playing a role in influencing the elections, so this is also in the background of the request for clarification.

In defining “interference,” McGrath thus wants to emphasize how it negatively affects the concept of democracy. “The essence of democracy is that citizens can freely express their views and participate in democratic life, choose their political representatives, and have a say in their future,” he said. In this sense, it must be ensured that one can “take part in elections which are free from interference, whether foreign or domestic.”