Verhofstadt calls for a European prosecutor to investigate disinformation campaigns

During the debate on the State of the Union in the European Parliament (12 September), ALDE-leader Guy Verhofstadt has called on President Juncker to establish a special prosecutor to investigate and recommend measures to stop foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing the European elections and actions intended to undermine democracies in the European Union.

Verhofstadt calls on EU leaders meeting in Salzburg to work with the European Commission to fast–track a planned action plan with specific proposals for a co-ordinated EU response to the challenge of disinformation.

“In the coming months, the European Commission, together with this Parliament should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate foreign interference intended to undermine European democracies. We need to protect our European elections from foreign meddling. Identifying the foreign agents who are active on European social-media platforms, as well as the extremist politicians with whom they are colluding. An action plan with specific proposals for an EU response to the challenge of disinformation and to protect our election infrastructure should be fast-tracked.

“In the US, Robert Mueller is the Special Counsel to investigate Russian interference and dozens of indictments have already been handed down. Europe needs to catch up by establishing its own special prosecutor to investigate and stop all disinformation campaigns, including those emanating from Russia, and all other attacks aimed at undermining our democracies.”

Verhofstadt called the last year of Juncker’s term “the year of truth for Europe.

"People are not against Europe, but want to see European action: A European Defence Community. To make sure that Europe does not have to close its doors from its neighbourhood, but is able to change and transform it; A real European asylum and migration system, including a Border and Coast Guard. To make us less depended on autocrats such as Erdogan; A reformed Economic and Monetary Union to continue to create jobs and to establish the euro as the most competitive and stable world currency."

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