July 8, 2024
Although last month’s European Union elections were peacefully conducted with little disruption, they were not entirely immune from election-related disinformation currently plaguing democracies all over the world. EU-related disinformation ahead of the European Parliament (EP) elections contained claims of voter fraud and election rigging, and attempted to shake public confidence in the EP and member states' electoral systems.
At this stage it is impossible to tell what effect, if any, these allegations had on voting behaviour in these elections. Regardless, election disinformation poses a significant and continued risk to European civic integrity. Election-related disinformation may disrupt the democratic order by driving citizens towards hostile confrontations with political leaders, prompting the rejection of key institutions and consolidating support for authoritarianism.
GDI observed an uptick in election-related disinformation narratives during the EP elections. This rise came even as the European Commission (EC) implemented guidelines under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to mitigate systemic online risks during elections. These guidelines recommend that Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Search Engines adopt election-specific risk mitigation measures and collaborate with civil society and independent experts to assess the effectiveness of these measures through post-election reviews.
In a victory for civic integrity, no substantial election interference or major disinformation incidents appeared to occur in the lead-up to the elections. No party appeared to significantly benefit from electoral disinformation. The results themselves, however, could impact the ways in which the EU addresses disinformation going forward.
Despite gains by far-right parties, centrist factions still hold the majority within the EP. The upcoming appointments of EP Committee Chairs and members will significantly influence the progression and enforcement of the DSA and Digital Markets Act (DMA). Although the EP has limited authority to alter legislation directly, its role in scrutinising and enforcing the DSA may change with this change in parliament.
One significant outcome of the vote was French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement to dissolve the National Assembly and call snap legislative elections. This decision followed on the heels of French far-right nationalists’ triumph in the EU elections with 31% of the vote, against 14.6% for Macron’s Besoin d’Europe list. This move could impact EU executive appointments, including the potential second term for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This will likely, in turn, affect future decisions on an array of issues such as the EU budget, immigration, defence spending and military aid.
The persistence of disinformation during the EU elections, despite DSA guidelines, highlights the need to set binding measures in order to safeguard democratic processes. Binding guidelines could then be subject to review as part of the annual DSA audit process which monitors the due diligence obligations and compliance of Platforms with DSA requirements. As the EU begins the enforcement of the DSA and DMA, it is critical that they support the civil society organisations that can act as a bulwark against disinformation. In a time of rising political tensions, ensuring this support will help policymakers further develop processes to mitigate electoral disinformation and its risks.
Civic Integrity and Disinformation
False claims of voter fraud and election rigging included allegations that the World Economic Forum (WEF) controls the EU. These narratives assert that WEF operatives are embedded within the European Commission and other political establishments, pursuing an agenda regardless of election outcomes. Additionally, some narratives depicted the elections as “fake democracy” due to corruption allegations against MEPs and claims that international treaties predetermine the EU's political plans, leaving the populace powerless.
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)
Foreign state actors attempted to amplify the impact of electoral interference claims and global conspiracy theories in order to weaken public support for European democratic institutions and specific policies, such as aid to Ukraine. These narratives promoted the notion that the EU is illegitimate and too weak to play a meaningful role globally, encouraging disengagement from international issues and adherence to non-interference principles. Some narratives specifically targeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accusing her of corrupt dealings over COVID-19 vaccines and criticising her likely selection for a second term as emblematic of the undemocratic nature of the EU.
Research into FIMI reveals messaging from known Russian disinformation channels that blended accurate reporting with harmful misleading narratives. Russian state-owned news outlets like RT Deutsch, RT France, and RT en Español have suggested unfair conduct and inherently undemocratic behaviour in the EU elections. These claims appeared aimed at furthering a narrative of systemic crisis and the inevitability of corrupt electoral outcomes. Pro-Russian websites like Voice of Europe also contributed to this disinformation landscape by suggesting the elections would not yield meaningful change. They also sought to downplay the influence of pro-Russian messaging and attitudes.
The Role of Global Conspiracy Theories
Global conspiracy theories circulated during the election, which claimed that shadowy elites control the EU, help foster hostility towards political leaders and encourage radical and sometimes violent changes to the political system. These theories added to the perception of a systemic crisis that established politicians cannot or will not address. Some theories even promoted disengagement from the democratic process by portraying voting as ineffective or harmful, suggesting that the system is deliberately rigged against the people's interests.
The narratives circulated during the European elections underscore the disinformation pressures that can jeopardise the democratic process in Europe and beyond. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies across multiple platforms to ensure election integrity and support for democratic institutions against domestic and foreign disinformation campaigns. As political tides shift, it becomes increasingly vital for policymakers to fortify democratic processes against the exploitation of societal divisions by disinformation.
For more detail on the most common disinformation narratives observed by GDI in the lead-up to the elections, download our report Deep Dive: European Elections Aftermath.