The European Commission unveiled its new European Democracy Shield and the EU Strategy for Civil Society, a set of safeguards and rules dubbed the Democracy Package, aimed at monitoring democracy and stability in the European Union, to reinforce democratic values.
“The Democracy Package will serve as our roadmap to confront the evolving challenges our democracies face, and to support all those who uphold them,” said Commissioner for Democracy and Justice Michael McGrath, presenting these new instruments.
The EU Strategy for Civil Society will involve citizens, enhancing civil society involvement through a new platform and online hub. They will help citizens monitor programmes and other initiatives, and will strive to facilitate access for them.
The Democracy Shield will be the cornerstone of this new strategy to protect and expand democratic values across the bloc. “The European Democracy Shield will reinforce the core elements that allow citizens to live our shared democratic values every day – free speech, independent media, resilient institutions, and a vibrant civil society,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
According to the Commission, the strategy will have three pillars: safeguarding the integrity of information spaces, strengthening institutions, elections, and media, and boosting citizens’ engagement and the strength of institutions.
To achieve these targets, the EU will establish a European Centre for Democratic Resilience to identify and address threats to democracy and institutions, with a particular focus on combating foreign interference and disinformation. The new centre will collaborate with the already existing Rapid Alert System. Additionally, a new European Network of Fact-Checkers will be established to operate in every EU language and enhance fact-checking across member states.
“Europe stands stronger than ever to defend its foundations and democratic values. Citizens are the heartbeat of our democracies. Our proposals are about more than defence — they are about empowerment. We want every citizen, every association, every voice to know that Europe stands with them. A confident, open, and resilient democracy is the best answer to those who seek to divide or weaken us,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
