Twelve European Union countries, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, have urged the European Commission to utilize its powers under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to safeguard the integrity of European elections from foreign interference. In a joint letter signed by European affairs ministers from the 12 nations, the group emphasized the need for a dedicated EU body to combat foreign information manipulation and interference.
The letter, seen by Reuters, highlights the growing threat of foreign interference in public debates and electoral processes, which poses a direct challenge to the stability and sovereignty of EU member states. "The escalating threats of foreign interference and disruptive interventions during key electoral events represent a direct challenge to our stability and sovereignty," the letter stated. It further called for "urgent and united action" to defend upcoming elections across the EU.
The ministers specifically referenced interference by Russia and China, among others, as significant concerns. Germany, which faces snap elections on February 23, has already established a task force to counter potential foreign attempts to influence the vote. This move follows warnings of Russian-sponsored espionage and sabotage.
The issue of foreign interference has gained additional attention following recent incidents involving social media platforms. Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), recently appeared at a campaign event for Germany's far-right AfD party, marking his second appearance in support of the party within weeks. This has raised concerns about the role of social media in amplifying political divisions and foreign influence.
Additionally, in December, the European Commission launched an investigation into TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, over suspicions that the platform failed to limit election interference during the Romanian presidential vote in November. The probe underscores the broader challenges posed by social media platforms in ensuring the integrity of democratic processes.
The 12 signatory countries—France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain—are pushing for the European Commission to deliver on its promises to establish a dedicated EU body to counter foreign information manipulation. This body would play a crucial role in monitoring and mitigating threats to electoral integrity across the bloc.
As the EU prepares for a series of critical elections in the coming months, the call for coordinated action reflects the growing recognition of the need to protect democratic processes from external threats. The European Commission has yet to respond to the letter, but the pressure from member states signals a heightened focus on election security in the face of evolving challenges.