The Defence of Democracy Package deepens measures taken under the European Democracy Action Plan . The package includes measures to develop civic space and citizen participation to bolster democratic resilience from within. It includes  a proposal for a Directive on transparency of interest representation for third countries.  

Find all documents and the press release on the package 

On 9 April 2024, the new Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, to reinforce democracy and protect the integrity of elections, entered into force.  The Regulation aims to ensure that the provision of political advertising is in full respect of fundamental rights and that voters are better placed to make well informed choices.

On 25 November 2021, the Commission adopted a package of measures to reinforce democracy and protect the integrity of elections. The package included a Communication, a legislative proposal on transparency and targeting of political advertising (now enacted, please see above), two legislative proposals on the right to vote and stand as candidates of EU citizens residing in a different Member State from their state of origin in elections to the European Parliament and municipal elections and a legislative proposal to update EU rules on the funding of European political parties and foundations. See also Factsheet and press release.

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In December 2020, the Commission presented its European Democracy Action Plan to promote free and fair elections; strengthen media freedom and counter disinformation. The Commission also regularly publishes its report on EU citizenship, which include Commission’s priorities in strengthening democratic participation. See also summary Factsheet: European Democracy Action Plan and Citizenship Report 2023.

In June 2020, the Commission published a report on the 2019 European Parliament elections and a staff working document which accompanies the report. This report reviews the conduct of the 2019 elections and the implementation of the Commission’s 2018 electoral package, including measures taken to enhance transparency, protect free and fair elections and promote the democratic participation of all European citizens.

Following 2019 elections to the European Parliament, the Commission received a large number of complaints concerning the possibility for mobile EU citizens to exercise effectively their voting rights in the UK. Please see the attached letter for more information concerning this issue.

Following 2019 elections to the European Parliament, the Commission also received a large number of complaints by Romanian citizens concerning the difficulties encountered in voting at Romanian consulates abroad.Please see the attached letter for more information concerning this issue.

In September 2018 the Commission issued a package of measures to support free and fair European elections, including a Communication; a Recommendation on election cooperation networks online transparency protection against cybersecurity incidents and fighting disinformation campaigns in the context of elections to the European Parliament; a Guidance document on the application of Union data protection law in the electoral context; and a Legislative proposal to provide sanctions for the deliberate misuse of personal data by European political parties and foundations to influence the outcome of the elections.

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Find previous reports and recommendations on elections