Firm responses to foreign interference needed to keep our European Union safe and strong

Renew Europe welcomes the adoption today of the recommendations of the European Parliament's Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE).

Foreign powers like Russia and China are trying to sabotage European democracy through election-meddling, disinformation, cyber-attacks, financial support and economic coercion of political actors and civil society. We need to protect and defend Europe at the Union and national level to make sure that the EU remains a place where democracy and the rule of law thrive.

Renew Europe welcomes the calls for more support to journalists and strong enforcement of the DSA and the EU Code of Practice for Disinformation. Furthermore, new measures for foreign interference and influence operations are needed to address acts of foreign interference in an effective way.

MEP Bart GROOTHUIS (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, The Netherlands) Renew Europe shadow rapporteur on the report, says:

“Only firm responses to foreign interference keep our democracies vibrant and safe, which up until now have been lacking. The EU is however well-positioned to counter new threats such as disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks and economic coercion. The report provides recommendations for a renewed, strong and geopolitical Europe”.

MEP Nathalie LOISEAU (Liste Renaissance, France), coordinator of the INGE Committee, says:

’’Interference and disinformation are attacks on our models of democracy and our Union. In recent years, they have become more sophisticated and more widespread. The adoption of the report and its recommendations is therefore timely. It is now up to us to transform them into concrete actions to ensure the strategic autonomy of our Union. The security of our citizens and the protection of our freedoms are at stake’’.