The European Parliament’s Special Committee has approved new measures aimed at enhancing the European Democracy Shield to combat foreign interference and disinformation, with a focus on Russia as the primary threat.

In a decisive move, the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield has adopted a series of proposals designed to fortify the EU’s defenses against foreign manipulation and hybrid threats. The committee’s recommendations, which received overwhelming support with 20 votes in favor, aim to create a robust framework for protecting democratic integrity across member states.

Central to the proposals is the establishment of a European Centre for Democratic Resilience, which would operate under a binding legal framework and be equipped with a dedicated budget. This center is envisioned to enhance cooperation among EU nations and adapt to emerging threats, ensuring a comprehensive response to challenges posed by countries like Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and North Korea.

The report emphasizes the urgent need for the EU to reduce dependency on foreign technology in critical sectors, advocating for a ‘buy European’ strategy. Additionally, it calls for stronger sanctions against entities that facilitate Russian disinformation and a coordinated response to Russia’s targeting of EU citizens. MEPs also propose an annual ‘European Preparedness Day’ to commemorate the onset of the Ukraine conflict, alongside the introduction of a crisis alert app to bolster civil readiness.