Europe needs a Democracy Shield with real teeth

The EPP Group wants the EU to give itself the tools and resources to protect European democracies from foreign interference, disinformation and hybrid threats. Ahead of today’s vote on Parliament’s recommendations, Tomas Tobé MEP calls for a Democracy Shield with the power to act.

"Protecting democracy from foreign interference must be a European priority. We must respond with greater determination and reinforce the European Democracy Shield. Russia remains the most serious threat to the integrity of our democracies. Its continued attempts to influence elections and manipulate the information space show that the Kremlin sees democratic resilience as a threat to its own interests," says Tomas Tobé MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair and the Parliament’s negotiator on the European Democracy Shield.

The EPP Group wants the Democracy Shield to be more than just a name. Europe needs stronger coordination and real operational capacity to protect elections, defend democratic institutions and counter foreign interference. The European Centre for Democratic Resilience must have the powers and resources to respond effectively to threats.

"With this report, the European Parliament sends a clear message: we will not be passive while our democracies are under threat. We must now turn the European Democracy Shield into effective action to protect our elections, defend our institutions and counter foreign interference," concludes Tobé. 

A press conference will follow the vote on Tuesday, 15 September, at 13.30 in the Press Room of the European Parliament in Strasbourg and online.