Vulcan View: The latest EU developments 13 May – 17 May

Von der Leyen pledges action on foreign disinformation if re-elected

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to take firm action against foreign disinformation by proposing a new law if she secures a second term. Less than a month before the election, President von der Leyen called for more action in countering foreign meddling during a speech she made in Denmark on Tuesday.

Ahead of the election, cybersecurity officials, experts and politicians are anticipating a surge of disinformation which Europe are not well equipped to detect and counter. Von der Leyen’s concerns come amid a heightened fear that Russia is increasing its influence operations in sowing doubt about the integrity of elections in the West and manipulating public fear in its favor.

During her speech in Denmark, von der Leyen stated, “If I am re-elected as President, the Commission will put forward a European Democracy Shield as one of the key priorities of the next Commission”, adding “This should be an ambitious European project that focuses on the biggest threats from foreign interference and manipulation.”

EU institutions and member countries have already started holding regular meetings with the discussions surrounding solutions on tackling foreign interference targeting elections. Russia has a previous history of trying to sway elections, in both the United States and the European Union. Recently, there has been a wave of cheaply produced disinformation campaigns which are pushing both Kremlin and Chinese narratives and being amplified by social media.

Von der Leyen has also flagged a rise in cyberattacks with her plan for tackling disinformation to include setting up a European disinformation unit to detect, coordinate and share analysis from other national agencies and potentially bring new rules in tackling new technologies such as AI deepfakes.

The Commission is also requiring major companies to showcase their efforts to rein in AI-generated content and show sufficient respect for the DSA rulebook. Although videos, photos and recordings generated by AI to impersonate politicans have not yet surfaced in the European elections, there is anticipation that they will. Commissioners have been warned to prepare for disinformation attacks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment to taking action against foreign disinformation through proposed legislation marks a step towards safeguarding the integrity of European elections. By advocating for enhanced coordination among EU institutions and Member States, von der Leyen is demonstrating a proactive approach to defending European democracy.

New measures to accelerate renewable energy deployment

As we approach the two-year mark since the adoption of the REPowerEU Plan, the European Commission continues to push forward in its commitment to reshape the energy landscape. The Commission has recently unveiled new measures designed to support Member States in rapidly deploying renewable energy resources and reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels. This move includes the adoption of updated recommendations and guidance documents aimed at improving and streamlining the permitting procedures and auction mechanisms for renewable energy projects.

These comprehensive documents provide Member States with the necessary framework to enhance the conditions for swift and effective deployment of locally produced renewable energy. The initiative also seeks to boost the demand for clean technologies made in Europe, which is expected to bolster industrial competitiveness, increase the resilience of the energy system, and further the goals of the European Green Deal.

Key among the new measures is the updated Recommendation on speeding up permit-granting procedures. This document, along with its accompanying guidance, outlines improved planning and permitting strategies that incorporate digitalization, community participation, and the optimization of human resources and skills. The guidance also offers examples of best practices for quick and straightforward permitting, crucial for timely project execution.

Moreover, the Commission introduced additional guidance on designating “renewables acceleration areas.” These areas are pinpointed as having minimal environmental impact, thereby qualifying for expedited procedures that enable faster deployment of specific renewable technologies. Essential to this process is the use of advanced digital planning tools and thorough environmental and capacity assessments, ensuring that the selected areas are optimally utilized.

The revamped approach to auction design is another cornerstone of today’s recommendations. The Commission’s guidance aims to harmonize and enhance the efficiency of renewable energy auctions across the EU. By incorporating non-price criteria, the auctions will prioritize projects that offer greater value in terms of quality, resilience, and environmental sustainability.

Renewable energy is pivotal in the EU’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, underpinning initiatives like the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan. The latter specifically targets the reduction of EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels. The revised Renewable Energy Directive sets ambitious targets for 2030, aiming for a 45% share of renewable energy, with a binding minimum of 42.5%.

The push for renewables is supported by various EU financial and policy instruments, such as the REPowerEU Chapters of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans and the revised TEN-E Regulation, which facilitates the development of transnational clean energy projects and offshore electricity grids.

These new measures and recommendations by the European Commission not only support the accelerated deployment of renewable energy across the EU but also reinforce the Union’s capacity to develop and sustain a competitive edge in the global race for clean technologies. The strategic move aligns with broader efforts to ensure a robust industrial base and a resilient, sustainable energy future for Europe.

New poll shows Fine Gael and Sinn Féin popularity on par

The most recent Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll shows an overall fall in satisfaction with the government by 4 points to 31%. Sinn Féin’s fall in popularity, while Fine Gael appear to be on the rise. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil appear to have maintained its place in third. Support for Sinn Féin has slipped to 23%, 5 percentage points less than the February 2024 figure of 28%. However, Fine Gael have risen 4 percentage points from 19 per cent to 23%; this is Fine Gael’s highest popularity ranking since June 2021 where support stood at 27%.

In relation to the smaller parties, support for both the Green Party and the Social Democrats has fallen by 1 percentage point, leaving them at 4% and 3%, respectively. Labour has risen 1 percentage point to reach 5%, while  Solidarity-People Before Profit and Aontú remain unchanged at 2% and 1%, respectively.

When asked which combination of parties they would choose to form the next government, 33% of respondents said they would prefer to retain the current Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Green combination. Despite Sinn Féin’s persistent popularity growth over the last number of weeks, just twenty percent of voters choose a Sinn Féin-led government without the participation of either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

In terms of party leaders, Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, proved to be most popular party leader at 46%, with a 2% increase in support. Simon Harris stands at 38%, just two points ahead of opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald, whose popularity ranking fell by 2 points. However, 20% of voters believe that Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to bring Fine Gael in a “new direction”, while 38% of respondents stated that they were “waiting to hear what he has to say.” Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, stands at 21%, a 1 point increase.

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Compliments of Vulcan Consulting – a member of the EACCNY.