The European Commission on Tuesday launched a new body to combat “foreign information manipulation”, the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The new Centre is tasked with strengthening “resilient elections,” drafting a common European plan to counter foreign information manipulation, coordinating with media organisations and online platforms, and even organising citizens’ panels under Commission oversight. Taken together, the measures suggest Brussels is strengthening its role in managing how information and political debate are handled across the bloc. In practice, this places Brussels at the centre of decisions about how “information threats” are defined and addressed.
The broader concern is that, in the name of protecting the EU from outside interference, the Union continues to expand its capacity to influence electoral processes, public narratives and internal political dynamics. What counts as “disinformation” or “manipulation” is not a neutral question. Such judgments can shape electoral campaigns and affect the freedom of national governments and political parties.
The Commission cites Eurobarometer data indicating that 42% of citizens view foreign manipulation as a serious threat to democracy, though the survey does not clearly define what counts as “manipulation.” The Centre is also expected to work with candidate countries, extending this approach beyond the EU’s current borders. That would embed Brussels-led standards in states seeking membership, shaping their policies before they formally join the bloc.