EU’s 'democracy shield' needs local action against disinformation and hate speech

Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) have welcomed the European Commission's proposal to create a 'democracy shield', describing the proposal to increase the resilience of European democracies as an essential response to increasing threats and challenges.

In a debate on 10 December with Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, EU local and regional leaders voiced alarm about disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference, and the level of hate speech against local politicians, particularly women.

Presenting proposals for the European Democracy Shield, Commissioner McGrath highlighted the initiative's principal objectives: to improve the EU's awareness of emerging threats, to strengthen democratic institutions and media, and to boost citizens' engagement.

He endorsed the view of the CoR that, as the level of government closest to the citizens, local and regional authorities have an essential role in protecting democracy and the rule of law.

Commissioner McGrath and CoR members spoke of the threat posed by increasingly sophisticated and extensive efforts to spread disinformation, polarise debate and undermine the integrity of elections – efforts that are worsening the dangers faced by local and regional politicians, particularly women. The Democracy Shield proposals contain recommendations on how to increase safety in politics, including an initiative to produce a dedicated guide of best practices.

CoR members underscored the structural challenge posed by the decline of independent media and welcomed ideas set out in the Democracy Shield to support independent local media, both through direct financial assistance and by encouraging Member States to develop or expand national and regional action plans on media literacy.

The debate also highlighted the rule of law as a core value underpinning the EU's external action, with interventions by Ukrainian and Turkish politicians. Expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Commissioner McGrath emphasised that the European Commission will next week sign a convention in The Hague for the establishment of the Claims Commission that would provide a framework for reparations for Ukraine. It will also continue to advance the case for the establishment of the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

The CoR will provide a detailed response to the proposals set out in the European Democracy Shield in an opinion due for adoption in 2026.

More information:  

• A recording of the debate can be found on CoR's dedicated webpage for the plenary session. Photos are available on the CoR's Flickr page. For audiovisual support, please contact the CoR's audiovisual service. 

• European Democracy Shield: The proposals are contained in a joint communication entitled 'The European Democracy Shield: Empowering Strong and Resilient Democracies' published on 12 November by the European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Background material is available on the website of the European Commission. The proposals will be the subject of an opinion by the CoR, drafted by Stephen De Ron (LU/Greens), councillor of the municipality of Hesperange. Adoption is scheduled for the CoR's plenary in October 2026.  

• Related opinions by the CoR: In recent years, the CoR has also adopted opinions on the 'European Democracy Action Plan' (rapporteur: Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, mayor of Gdańsk), 'The role of local and regional authorities in countering disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference' (rapporteur: Gustaw Marek Brzezin (PL/EPP), President of Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region), 'The European Media Freedom Act and the Defence of Democracy' (rapporteur: Mark Speich, then North Rhine-Westphalia's State Secretary for Federal, European and International Affairs and Media); 'The local and regional perspective in the implementation of the Rule of Law in the European Union' (rapporteur: Stephen De Ron).  

• Related CoR initiatives: EU Local Councillors Network, the Young Elected Politicians programme and the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, created in honour of the long-time mayor of Gdańsk and CoR member who was killed in 2019 by a constituent.