During a debate held in plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 27 November, several political groups in the European Parliament put forward solutions to thwart foreign interference in European democracies and elections. Some also warned against internal risks to the European Union.
“With 50 elections to be held at all levels in Europe between now and the end of 2020, these threats must be taken seriously”, insisted Caroline Voaden (Renew Europe, UK), advocating that the EU code of conduct on disinformation be strengthened (see EUROPE 12359/5).
Once again, Kati Piri (S&D, the Netherlands) called for the European Parliament to have a permanent commission of inquiry so as to obtain information on the risks involved and to thoroughly investigate all recent incidents of interference.
The S&D and Renew Europe groups also called for a reform of European election laws, which are now outdated given technological advances.
However, Frenchman Jordan Bardella, who spoke on behalf of the Identity and Democracy group, did not put forward any requests. He criticised traditional parties for promoting foreign interference to “reinforce the idea that Vladimir Putin’s Russia would be hiding behind the successes of nationalist forces”.
Future Vice-President of the Commission for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová assured that the work initiated by the previous team would be continued (see EUROPE 12257/10). She specifically wishes to focus on “the financing of European political parties and advertising for political action”.
European threats. Several groups warned against internal threats to the EU.
“Many people in our Member States are willing to accept the help of these external players in their quest for power”, warned Caroline Voaden. The MEP—with whom Kati Piri agreed on this point—specifically referred to Boris Johnson’s recent refusal to publish a report on Russian attempts to interfere in British politics.
Sergey Lagodinsky (Greens/EFA, Germany) considered it necessary to “monitor some of our colleagues closely”. “There are parties within our assembly that despise democracy”, he added, pointing to elected officials from the German AfD party who have forged ties with Russia.
“We, too, must put our own house in order and strengthen our democratic institutions”, he declared. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki, intern)