Foreign interference in democratic processes

10.5.2021

Question for oral answer  O-000035/2021
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 136
Raphaël Glucksmann
on behalf of the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation

European and general elections in the Member States are at the heart of democratic processes in the European Union. Foreign interference and disinformation are a particular threat to our democracies in this regard, with the integrity of elections undermined by the rapid growth of online campaigning. The European External Action Service (EEAS) StratCom Task Forces have proven to be a very valuable tool to screen, address and counter disinformation. However, their mandate lacks a strategic vision and is rather limited in view of such challenges as opaque financing of political parties in the EU from third-country sources. Moreover, the need to coordinate with the Commission and the Member States, notably with a view to protecting the resilience of electoral processes, requires more determined and joined-up action.

In his confirmation hearing, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy​ / ​Vice-President of the Commission (HR/VP) expressed his willingness to review the organisation of the StratCom Task Forces to improve their ability to tackle disinformation. He also underlined the need to move to qualified majority decisions for sanctions.

• 1.What areas should be considered when strategically defining the mandate of the EEAS StratCom Task Forces, and what measures should be taken to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for an extended mandate? In particular, how will the HR/VP strengthen the EU’s ability to monitor and counter interference?
• 2.How has the HR/VP organised the work of the Commission and the EEAS to ensure effective coordination between different administrative structures so that there are no loopholes or gaps in protecting the EU’s democratic processes from foreign interference and hybrid attacks from third countries. How could the fight against foreign interference best be mainstreamed within the EEAS and in line with the initiatives under the European Democracy Action Plan as a cross-cutting priority across all Commission DGs?
• 3.How does the HR/VP plan to improve the toolbox for sanctions against foreign actors to make the cost of foreign interference and spreading disinformation more severe? What action has he taken to change the Council’s procedure for adopting sanctions? How does the unanimity procedure affect the EU’s ability to act forcefully against foreign interference?

Submitted: 10.5.2021

Lapses: 11.8.2021