Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000959/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Vilis Krištopans (PfE), Ivaylo Valchev (ECR), Erik Kaliňák (NI), Filip Turek (PfE), Tiago Moreira de Sá (PfE), Marieke Ehlers (PfE), Jorge Martín Frías (PfE), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Elisabeth Dieringer (PfE), Markus Buchheit (ESN), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Roman Haider (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Bogdan Rzońca (ECR), Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová (PfE), Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI), Christine Anderson (ESN), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN), Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR), Anna Bryłka (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Gerolf Annemans (PfE), Marc Jongen (ESN), Gheorghe Piperea (ECR)
Following the initial work of the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS), it has become abundantly clear that there is significant confusion regarding various concepts and distinctions, namely: the concept of interference; the distinction between interference and legitimate influence in democratic debate; and the difference between an illegitimate attack and an unpopular opinion that still falls within the bounds of freedom of expression in democratic discourse.
Considering the European Union’s commitment to transparency and the defence of freedom of expression, we ask the Commission to respond to the following questions:
- 1.Can the Commission provide a clear and operational definition of the concept of ‘interference’ in the context of elections and democratic debate, and distinguish it from the legitimate attempt to influence democratic debate through freedom of expression?
- 2.How does the Commission differentiate between an attack requiring intervention and an unpopular but legitimate opinion within the context of democracy and pluralism of ideas?
- 3.Does the Commission consider that refusing to answer these fundamental questions compromises European citizens’ right to an informed and enlightened public debate?
Given the relevance of this issue for the protection of European democratic values, we request a detailed and well-founded response.
Supporter[1]
Submitted: 6.3.2025
- [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)