The canceled presidential elections in Romania represent one of the aspects taken into account in the preparation of the EC report on the rule of law, which motivates the creation of a European “Democracy” to counteract the external manipulation of the electoral processes.
The EU wants to create a “shield of democracy”. Photo archive
Following the Meeting of the General Affairs Council (CAG) of the European Union, the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the rule of law and consumer protection, Michael McGrath, said that in the elaboration of the 2025 report on the rule of law will take into account the precedent created by the election annulment. Presidential in Romania in December 2024, notes Antena3.
“I had a discussion related to a series of issues regarding Romania as one of the four countries that discussed at the Council today. The discussion focused on the 2024 report on the rule of law and recommendations.
Romania used the opportunity to present its perspective on the activity it makes to respond to those recommendations and, of course, the Commission will take this into account when it will elaborate the 2025 report. I think it is really an ideal opportunity for We to examine all the evolutions from the beginning of the 2024 report.
Therefore, we look forward to doing this in parallel to develop the shield of democracy, which aims to improve cooperation between Member States through the European Cooperation network, at the same time recognizing the autonomy and competence of the Member States to manage elections in their own countries.
So, we will certainly examine this issue in the context of the 2025 report ”, said Commissioner Michael McGrath.
What represents the “shield of democracy”
The notion was introduced by Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, which in July 2024 suggested the creation of a “shield of democracy” at the European Union, to counteract the misinformation and manipulation that can affect the electoral processes in the European states.
The implementation of this project returns, in principle, to the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the rule of law, Michael McGrath, who stressed that, in the context in which the elections were held in several European states, but especially in Romania, where they were canceled by the CCR, the creation of a “shield of democracy” should be prioritized.
The plan has the following objectives:
* Consolidating the struggle against manipulating information and interference in this area
* Coordination of work with other commissioners to strengthen efforts to increase digital literacy and fake-down prevention through pre-gooding concerted actions
* Protecting the integrity of elections in Member States
* Concerted actions with the European Parliament and the European Council to obtain specific action agreements on the topics and political parties
* Implementation of the European Act for Media Freedom and Proposal Solutions for Better Independent Media and Journalists
According to Michael McGrath, the defense of democratic institutions, the protection of free and correct elections and the use of all the tools available, including the European Commission, must be an imperative for the EU and for the Member States.
