Democracy under siege, the EU raises its defences: “The main threat is Russia”

Brussels – “The main threat to our democracy is Russia,” explained the Swedish MEP Tomas Tobé (EPP), and with this same approach, MEPs from the Special Committee on the Democratic Shield (EUDS) voted today (23 June) on a text aimed at protecting the EU from threats, meddling, and interference by foreign actors. The text, approved today (23 June) with 20 votes in favour, 9 against, and 2 abstentions, contains a series of conclusions and recommendations in support of the European Democratic Shield, the initiative proposed by the European Commission in July 2024 to counter “the ever-evolving nature of threats to EU democracy and electoral processes.”

MEPs are focusing in particular on hybrid threats originating from Russia, as well as those attributed to Belarus, China, Iran, and North Korea, albeit “to a lesser extent,” as the rapporteur for the text, Tobé, notes. To counter these threats, Parliament proposes strengthening the operational capabilities of the relevant European agencies, potentially extending the mandate of Europol to include hybrid threats and acts of sabotage.

The suggested measures also include an expansion of sanctions against those who facilitate Russian disinformation, a coordinated EU response to the so-called “blacklist” drawn up by Moscow targeting citizens, journalists, and MEPs, and the designation of 24 February as “European Preparedness Day“, in memory of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Another key chapter concerns the protection of electoral processes. The text calls for the evaluation of measures to combat harmful deepfakes, fraudulent advertising campaigns, and other forms of digital manipulation, while also envisaging possible reforms to the European cooperation network on elections (ECNE). MEPs also support the proposal by the European Commission to establish a European Centre for Democratic Resilience, while calling for it to be established through a legally binding act, with a dedicated budget, clear operational parameters, and a governance structure involving all Member States.

The document also highlights a strong push towards European technological autonomy. MEPs consider it “urgent” to reduce dependence on technologies controlled by third countries in strategic sectors, with explicit reference to major US platforms and Chinese software. Hence the call to apply a “Buy European” approach to investment in critical infrastructure and to develop tools capable of rapidly identifying electoral interference, distinguishing authentic content from manipulated content, and exposing coordinated disinformation campaigns.

The final pillar concerns media pluralism and freedom of the press. The text calls for structural and long-term funding for the sector, strict enforcement of the ban on illegal spyware, possible protection mechanisms for investigative journalists and the strengthening of European media literacy programmes.

Following approval by the EUDS Committee, the dossier will be put before the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg in September 2026.