European Democracy Shield : time for concrete action ! On the eve of the Commission's presentation of the Democracy package expected next Wednesday 12, Renew Europe expects a strong proposal to address the deeply concerning attacks on democracy and electoral processes across the Union.
The Commission President made clear commitments during the presentation of her political guidelines in July 2024, renewed in her State of the Union address last September, with concrete announcements on creating a European Centre for Democratic Resilience and a Media Resilience Programme with increased funding to support independent journalism and media literacy. The European Union faces escalating cyberattacks, social media manipulation, and disinformation campaigns that systematically undermine democratic foundations. These coordinated foreign interference and hybrid attacks exploit digital vulnerabilities to polarize public opinion and erode institutional trust across Member States, particularly targeting electoral processes.
No one can deny that algorithms pose a threat to our democratic systems. The EU must adopt the necessary instruments to respond effectively to these challenges and protect the integrity of its democratic institutions. Urgent action is now required !
Commission proposal : Wednesday 12 November.
Renew MEPs : Nathalie Loiseau (Horizon, France), chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) & Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS, Austria), Renew coordinator for the EUDS committee.
Omnibus deal back on table. The proposal to simplify EU rules on business ethics and sustainability reporting is back on the plenary agenda. Renew was instrumental in forging a deal at the centre with EPP and S&D at committee level. That deal didn't hold at plenary level. Now every group tabled its own set of amendments and is tempted to go about its own way. Renew in responsible leadership is still tirelessly aiming to keep the "von der Leyen coalition" together, holding talks and making proposals. Pascal Canfin, our negotiator on the file, will host a LinkedIn live Monday to give a state of play of the talks between EPP, S&D and Renew. The spirit of compromise must prevail, for next week's vote and for the rest of the mandate.
LinkedIn live : Monday 10 November, 3:30pm.
Vote : Thursday 13 November, 13:00
Renew MEP : Pascal Canfin (Renaissance, France).
LinkedIn live link : Click here
European Gender Equality Strategy post-2025. Next Thursday 13 , the European Parliament will vote on its position for the European Gender Equality Strategy post-2025. This position is intended to influence the new Strategy that the European Commission will present in March 2026 and builds on the Roadmap for Women’s Rights published in March 2025. Renew Europe is calling for a Strategy that delivers equality in real life: protection from violence, equal pay and equal opportunities at work, full access to health including sexual and reproductive health and rights – including the right to safe and legal abortion and its inclusion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – better support for care, and more equal participation in public life. Renew emphasises that existing rights must be enforced in all Member States so that every woman can experience real freedom and dignity, wherever she lives. With anti-gender and anti-democratic movements growing across Europe, this vote is a chance to show that the Union protects progress and continues to push equality forward.
Vote: Thursday, 13 November 2025 (Brussels mini plenary).
Renew Europe MEP: Lucia Yar, (Progresívne Slovensko, Slovakia).
