For the most important ones European elections that have ever taken place, said the president of the European Commission and EPP candidate Ursula von der Leyen.

“Europeans will very soon start going to the polls in perhaps the most important European elections ever. I say this because what is at stake in this election will determine the future of this continent. Elections are never about a narrow issue. But they are going to give a clear sense of direction for our society,” he noted.

A European shield for democracy “focusing on the biggest threats from foreign interference and manipulation” will be among priorities of the next one Commissionsince Ursula von der Leyen is re-elected, as she noted at the Copenhagen democracy summit.

He explained the key elements of such a plan, among which is detection, because, as he pointed out, “nothing is as powerful as revealing the manipulation of information. This requires primarily a free media.” He also called the creation of common capacities at the European level important. The second point of a European shield is countermeasures, that is, when detected, be able to block. The Digital Platforms Act (DSA) already exists, but Ursula von der Leyen also highlighted the need for “social immunity” and resilience as technologies evolve because, she said, “information manipulation is like a virus”, pointing out that prevention is better than getting to the point where treatment is needed.

She pointed out that Europe needs its own special structure to deal with foreign interventions by bringing together the necessary experts combined with linking and coordinating with existing national bodies.

The president of the Commission and EPP candidate expressed her concern about the increase in foreign interventions. “We have seen far-right politicians and leading candidates from the AfD in Germany in Russia’s pocket. They sell their souls to Russian propaganda media and videos,” said the president of the Commission. As he pointed out, the issue in this malicious intervention is not only what is said or done in each individual case, but it has to do with wanting to sow “division” and lead to “igniting the flame of extremism”.