Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541244
THE EPP Group expects the Eu- ropean Commission to be ambi- tious, bold, and forward-looking when presenting the European Democracy Shield this Wednes- day. At a time when Russia and other malicious actors seek to illegitimately influence demo- cratic processes in Europe, both the EU and its member states must find more effective ways to counter these attempts. In recent years, we have seen countless examples of Russia try- ing to influence European elec- tions by systematically spreading disinformation or through other actions designed to undermine public trust in democratic insti- tutions. Most recently, Russia's efforts to influence the Czech par- liamentary elections through troll farms and foreign operations were documented. Earlier this year, during the German elections, the so-called "doppelgänger" phe- nomenon— named after the German word for look-alike—gained attention when Russian interests created replicas of well-known news sites to spread false, pro-Russian, nar- ratives. Another widely discussed exam- ple of Russian interference was last year's Romanian presidential election, which had to be reor- ganised after reports of Russian influence operations. Intelligence reports revealed systematic use of fake Russian social media ac- counts to sway the debate, while the country's election authority was targeted by large-scale cyber- attacks. TikTok reported deleting 175,000 fake or spam accounts in the aftermath of the elections. This reality underscores the need for the EU to take a compre- hensive approach to better pro- tect our democratic systems from foreign interference. Although delayed, the European Commis- sion is now expected to present its communication on the European Democracy Shield this week, out- lining concrete EU measures to safeguard Europe's democracies from external threats. The message of the EPP Group to the commission is clear: the time for piecemeal or complacent solutions is over. We expect an ambitious and courageous reform agenda to defend democracy. To strengthen our democratic resilience, the EU should now act in the following key areas: 1. Strengthen our capacity to act Current efforts to identify and respond to foreign interference and disinformation must be rein- forced and taken to the next level. The goal should be to detect and counter influence operations as they unfold, rather than merely analysing them afterward. Coun- termeasures, such as EU sanctions mechanisms, must be better integrated into this work. The com- mission's pledge to cre- ate a European Centre for Democratic Resilience is important, but it must become more than a symbolic office in the Berlaymont building. The new structure should act as a centre of excellence, be independent, and have sustainable funding. 2. Strengthen our electoral systems and infrastructure Every EU Member State has its own democratic traditions and election procedures. Yet, there are shared structures and minimum standards. Within the frame- work of the European Democracy Shield, the classification of elec- toral systems as part of the EU's critical infrastructure along with the strengthening of the European Cooperation Network on Elec- tions (ECNE) should be urgently implemented. 3. Establish clear digital rules of engagement Freedom of expression, includ- ing online, is fundamental. How- ever, even the digital sphere re- quires rules. The Digital Services Act (DSA) establishes obligations for major social media platforms, such as ensuring users' rights to appeal account suspensions. At the same time, platforms must take measures to minimise the misuse of their systems – such as the systematic spread of disin- formation during elections. They must become more proactive in prevention, and the DSA must be fully implemented. Another issue that needs to be addressed is the practice of covertly purchasing political support from influencers. 4. Support independent media and civil society Building societies that are resil- ient against influence operations is crucial. In countries like Hungary, the space for independent media and civil society has become in- creasingly restricted. Strengthen- ing the EU's democratic defences must therefore also involve pro- tecting media freedom, empow- ering civil society, and promoting media literacy among citizens to ensure they can critically assess information and resist disinfor- mation campaigns. 5. Enhance the EU's capacity to respond to hybrid threats Attempts to destabilise socie- ties or erode public trust can take many forms – from the instru- mentalisation of migrants to pres- sure the EU's external borders, to the sabotage of energy infrastruc- ture. The EU must better equip its agencies to assist Member States in protecting themselves against such hybrid attacks. This includes clarifying and strengthening the mandates of Europol, Frontex, and Eurojust. 6. New and improved ways to support neighbourhood countries Countries in the EU's neigh- bourhood are even more exposed to foreign influence attempts than EU Member States them- selves, not least from Russia. The example of Moldova is particu- larly telling. Reforms to system- atically increase EU support for these countries' countermeasures should be a cornerstone of the Eu- ropean Democracy Shield. In an increasingly uncertain global environment, we must safe- guard European cooperation, our democracy, and our shared values. We both hope and expect that the commission will now present an ambitious agenda to make this possible in practice. How we strengthen the defence of European democracy Tomas Tobé & David Casa Tobé is Rapporteur EP Special Committee on European Democracy Shield Casa is head of PN delegation 10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 NOVEMBER 2025 OPINION The message of the EPP Group to the commission is clear: the time for piecemeal or complacent solutions is over. We expect an ambitious and courageous reform agenda to defend democracy