05/03/2025 Political Affairs and Democracy
Stating that foreign interference, in its many forms, is a “substantial and persistent” threat to democratic security, the Political Affairs Committee today condemned “deliberate and systematic efforts by foreign actors to undermine electoral and democratic processes and institutions”. The committee noted the escalation in hostile interference originating from the Russian Federation following the beginning of its full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.
Adopting a draft resolution based on the report prepared by Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica (Latvia, EPP/CD), the committee called for a “whole-of-society approach” that includes notably parliaments, governments, private enterprises and journalists “to foster societal resilience and counter foreign interference operations”.
Member States should integrate foreign interference threats into national security frameworks that recognise the interconnected nature of hostile cyber, economic, political and information activities. Democratic institutions, critical infrastructure, and electoral systems should be secured against cyber threats, and co-ordination between security agencies should be enhanced.
Member States should also ensure legislative and policy frameworks that protect against interference in electoral systems, and to carry out comprehensive investigations into allegations of interference in elections and referenda. They should review and enhance national frameworks governing financial contributions to political parties, advertising and electoral campaigns to mitigate the risk of inappropriate or illicit foreign financial interference.