Renew Europe delivers on its promise: European Parliament adopts position on European Democracy Shield and calls for immediate action
Today, the European Parliament adopted a report on the findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield. Renew Europe united democratic voices around a clear position: to defend democracy with an enforceable legal framework that protects citizens, fair elections and information integrity across Europe. The EU Commission must match EU Parliament's position with binding legislation that builds real information resilience in Europe.
MEP Nathalie Loiseau, chair of the European Democracy Shield committee (EUDS) said:
“I welcome the adoption in plenary of the recommendations of the EUDS Special Committee. The committee that I chair sets out clear expectations: in particular, a Centre for Democratic Resilience worthy of the name; the strict enforcement of European digital laws; the protection of our critical infrastructure against sabotage; enhanced police cooperation against criminal networks that facilitate hybrid warfare; and the preservation of press pluralism and independence. We must also do more to help accession candidate countries combat interference and learn from their experiences. The Special Committee’s report was adopted by a large majority. The far right, however, has demonstrated once again that protecting our democracies and combating interference are not part of its agenda. No one is surprised, but everyone has been warned.”
Nathalie LoiseauRenew Europe MEP, France, Horizons
The EU Parliament's new position also means full enforcement of EU digital rules on platforms and algorithms, better access to reliable information and media literacy for citizens, and stronger protection for elections.
MEP Helmut Brandstaetter, Renew shadow rapporteur and EUDS coordinator added:
“The European Parliament took the Commission's lukewarm communication and turned it into an actionable report with teeth and clarity. We will continue oversight of the Commission's work and make sure that European democracy, infrastructure, elections are not left to the whims of foreign adversaries, but have necessary safeguards to protect us and deterrents to make adversaries think twice before attacking the EU.”
Helmut BrandstätterRenew Europe MEP, Austria, NEOS – Das Neue Österreich
Renew Europe once again played its leading role in unifying pro-democratic forces in the Parliament, building a united front against the extreme voices that undermine democracy from within. Renew was central to holding the cross-party compromise together, bridging Parliament's political centre - from the EPP to the Greens - to equip Europe's democracy with real tools and teeth against those who seek to weaken and destabilise it.
Since the EUDS was established, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and disinformation have only increased, and the Leipzig case shows exactly where this is heading. We have to protect EU democratic institutions from foreign interference and hybrid threats and promote media pluralism through a whole-of-society approach. We are already fighting for:
· Dedicated budget lines for democracy protection, disinformation resilience and civic engagement in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF);
· A functional European Centre for Democratic Resilience to counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference through strategic and coordinated efforts;
· Legal enforcement of the EU digital rulebook on online platforms and their algorithms;
Renew Europe's call is clear: the EU Commission must match Parliament's position with real, urgent action and a coordinated response.