European Parliament Adopts European Democracy Shield Report

Meeting in plenary in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) report by 420 votes in favour, 220 against and 26 abstentions, with opposition concentrated among the European Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe, Europe of Sovereign Nations and The Left. Rapporteur Tomas Tobé's report proposes an EU Centre for Democratic Resilience — operational since February 2026 with all 27 member states participating — to train civil servants, develop methodologies for identifying disinformation, tighten enforcement of the Digital Services Act and AI Act, protect electoral infrastructure as critical infrastructure, and counter deepfakes and illicit political funding. The report names Russia as the principal hybrid threat, alongside Belarus, China, Iran and North Korea. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the vote signalled that 'hybrid warfare does not stop at national borders.'