The EU needs a better plan to protect democracy

Elon Musk’s support for right-wing extremists in Europe adds to domestic concerns, such as authoritarian leaders in Hungary and Slovakia. In addition, Russia’s manipulation of the Romanian Presidential election shows how dangerous the methods of the regime in Moscow is.

The European Union must response more strongly. Not only by enforcing the rule of law as set ut in the Treaties, and by strengthening the regulations on digital services, but also by a strategic program for democratic resilience.

There is much to learn from previous efforts in this sphere, such as Margot Wallström’s Plan D for Democracy 20 years ago. Although the European Commission at the time did not agree to several of her proposals, the analysis was right and so were several of the ideas regarding the way forward.

Now there are new factors, such as the decisive role of social media. But the basic approach can be the same. A new Plan for Democratic Resilience could in addition to existing tools include stronger support for transboundary dialogue within Europe, a revised media policy for the digital age with more room for public service to offer alternatives to tech giants, expanding the Erasmus+ program, and engaging more strategically against disinformation. Just to mention some elements (my book Power in Europe includes a deeper analysis).

There is already harsh competition for money in the next EU multiannual financial framework (MFF), but without democratic resilience both defense capabilities and low-carbon transformations will be undermined. Instead of listening too much to a closed circle of business elites, Ursula von der Leyen and her staff would do well to revisit the ideas of the first Barroso Commission, this time making change really happen.