Sittings · Document
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
9.9.2026 A10-0199/27
Amendment 27
Christine Anderson, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1. Welcomes the joint communication on the European Democracy Shield and the continued efforts to build on the work already undertaken under the European democracy action plan and the Defence of Democracy package; is of the view that the core mission of the European Democracy Shield should be to protect European democracy amid an ever-evolving threat landscape and ultimately contribute to safeguarding the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU; takes the view that the measures set out in the communication do not fully reflect the level of ambition, foresight and capacity required and should be further developed and progressively strengthened over time, with a view to ensuring the effective establishment of robust and binding actions to protect democracy, in line with the scale of the challenges identified, while respecting the EU’s Treaty-based division of powers; stresses that soft policy measures are often insufficient where democratic values are deliberately undermined and that the fight against foreign interference, hybrid threats and disinformation requires ambition and strong action; takes the position that the credibility of the European Democracy Shield also depends on the will and determination to enforce existing EU legislation of relevance to the defence of democracy; recalls, furthermore, that the fragmentation of the EU remains a vulnerability in the defence of democracy; | 1. Welcomes the joint communication on the European Democracy Shield and the continued efforts to build on the work already undertaken under the European democracy action plan and the Defence of Democracy package; is of the view that the core mission of the European Democracy Shield should be to protect European democracy from external threats and ultimately contribute to safeguarding the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU; takes the view that the measures set out in the communication do not fully reflect the level of ambition, foresight and capacity required and should be further developed and progressively strengthened over time, with a view to ensuring the effective establishment of robust and binding actions to protect democracy, in line with the scale of the challenges identified, while respecting the EU’s Treaty-based division of powers; stresses that soft policy measures are often insufficient where democratic values are deliberately undermined and that the fight against foreign interference, hybrid threats and disinformation requires ambition and strong action; takes the position that the credibility of the European Democracy Shield also depends on the will and determination to enforce existing EU legislation of relevance to the defence of democracy; recalls, furthermore, that the fragmentation of the EU remains a vulnerability in the defence of democracy; |
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9.9.2026 A10-0199/28
Amendment 28
Christine Anderson, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1a. Recalls that any binding or operational EU action under the European Democracy Shield requires a specific legal basis under the Treaties and must respect the principles of conferral, subsidiarity and proportionality; stresses that new technologies or evolving threats cannot in themselves create new EU competences; |
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9.9.2026 A10-0199/29
Amendment 29
Christine Anderson, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2a. Stresses that controversial, polarising or coordinated political communication does not as such constitute FIMI; insists that content-related action under the European Democracy Shield be based on objective and verifiable evidence of foreign direction, funding or operational coordination and must not extend to lawful domestic political expression, advocacy or mobilisation; |
Or. en
9.9.2026 A10-0199/30
Amendment 30
Christine Anderson, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3a. Stresses that democracy requires political contestation and the possibility of peaceful change of power; recalls that opposition, dissent and public criticism are normal features of democratic life and must be embraced rather than treated as threats merely because they challenge institutions or governing majorities; underlines that a democracy shield must protect citizens from hostile actors, not institutions from citizens; |
Or. en
9.9.2026 A10-0199/31
Amendment 31
Christine Anderson, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 12a. Stresses that the Centre’s primary function should be to facilitate voluntary structured cooperation, information-sharing and coordination among existing EU and national actors, building on their mandates and expertise rather than replicating existing functions; stresses that it must not determine the truthfulness, legitimacy or political acceptability of narratives, viewpoints or opinions; |
Or. en
9.9.2026 A10-0199/32
Amendment 32
Christine Anderson, Sarah Knafo, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 19a. Opposes the establishment of a European Centre for Democratic Resilience, considering that such a structure would constitute a new permanent European agency encroaching upon Member States’ competences in the areas of internal security and public order, would add to an already crowded landscape of EU bodies, networks and platforms dealing with similar issues, and would entail operating costs to be borne by taxpayers; considers that the objectives invoked can be achieved through enhanced voluntary and intergovernmental cooperation between existing national structures, without the creation of a new EU entity with its own budget, staff and mandate; |
Or. en
9.9.2026 A10-0199/33
Amendment 33
Christine Anderson, Stanisław Tyszka, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 20a. Reminds the Commission that the Treaties do not confer on it any powers to monitor or approve elections in Member States; recalls that the Commission should act solely within the powers conferred on it by the Member States, and with due regard for national electoral legislation; |
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9.9.2026 A10-0199/34
Amendment 34
Christine Anderson
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 22. Condemns the targeted sanctions and attempts at coercion by the US administration against EU actors involved in shaping and enforcing the DSA and other digital regulations, in particular against a former commissioner; calls for the immediate lifting of these measures; urges the Commission and the Member States to resist such pressure, uphold EU legislation, and defend the right to self-governance and digital sovereignty; underlines that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in the EU and a core value shared with the United States and like-minded partners across the democratic world; stresses that political and trade considerations, as well as pressure from third countries or large technology companies, should not unduly influence the enforcement of EU digital legislation; stresses that decisions concerning the application of EU digital rules must be guided solely by EU law and the protection of democratic interests, and that the EU, as an open and rules-based single market, retains the sovereign right to regulate its economic activity in line with democratic values and international commitments; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the protective and redress mechanisms of EU digital legislation are shielded from any interference that could compromise their independence or effectiveness, and to establish robust safeguards against such risks; | 22. Considers that the EU cannot credibly denounce the US administration’s targeted sanctions against those responsible for the DSA and other digital legislation, including a former commissioner, while itself imposing restrictive measures on third-country officials because their domestic policies diverge from EU preferences; calls for a consistent rejection of sanctions used to punish lawful legislative or regulatory choices; |
Or. en
9.9.2026 A10-0199/35
Amendment 35
Christine Anderson, Marcin Sypniewski
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25a. Stresses that crisis protocols and rapid-response mechanisms must remain exceptional, time-limited and fully traceable; insists that such protocols and mechanisms have a clear legal basis, be subject to effective parliamentary oversight, ensure that all requests or referrals to platforms are recorded and provide affected persons with access to redress; rejects permanent monitoring or pre-emptive intervention in lawful democratic debate; |
Or. en
9.9.2026 A10-0199/36
Amendment 36
Christine Anderson
on behalf of the ESN Group
Report A10-0199/2026
Tomas Tobé
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
(2025/2069(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29a. Notes with concern that Russia has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity and placed him on an international wanted list; recalls the broader context of Russian pressure on Telegram over content removal and access to user data; condemns the misuse of criminal law to coerce platforms into political censorship or mass surveillance; |
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